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The United States has briefed Congress and European allies about Russia’s development of a space-based nuclear weapon, a move that threatens America’s satellite network and could violate the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

According to US officials, this satellite-killing technology could disrupt not only civilian communication but also critical surveillance and military operations. Despite the severity of the threat, officials note that Russia’s deployment does not seem immediate, providing a window for preventative measures.

The revelation, part of a broader concern over the militarization of space, highlights the escalating tensions between major powers in space. Russia’s potential breach of the Outer Space Treaty marks a significant shift, with both historical and contemporary implications for arms control and space policy. Analysts say that the United States, having experimented but never deployed similar technologies, now faces a new challenge in space security as Russia advances its capabilities.

This all comes after Representative Michael R. Turner’s public call to declassify this intelligence. The intelligence, described as a “destabilizing foreign military capability,” has led to urgent discussions among lawmakers and national security officials about appropriate responses and the implications of making such information public.