Canada briefed on intelligence White House says concerns Russian weapon

The White House publicly confirmed Thursday the U.S. has intelligence that Russia is developing an anti-satellite weapon that can be launched into space.

Canada has been briefed on U.S. intelligence that the White House publicly confirmed Thursday involves Russia’s “troubling” development of an anti-satellite weapon, a senior government official told Global News.

The official spoke on background to confirm the briefing on intelligence that has yet to be declassified by the United States.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. intelligence officials have information that Russia has obtained the capability but that such a weapon is not currently operational. He said U.S. officials are analyzing the intelligence and have consulted with allies and partners on the matter.

“First, this is not an active capability that’s been deployed and though Russia’s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s safety,” Kirby said. “We’re not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth.’’

The development of the weapon nevertheless presents a national and global security threat, Kirby said, because it would have the capability to disrupt satellite networks used for everything from communications to military logistics. He would not confirm reports that the weapon has nuclear capabilities, but did say it would be space-based.

The Department of National Defence referred Global News’ questions on the intelligence to comments Defence Minister Bill Blair made to CBC News on Thursday, where he said he has been assured “additional clarification” will be coming from the U.S.

“There is obviously concern within the United States about this,” he said in the interview from Brussels, where he was attending a meeting with NATO defence ministers.

“We are in discussion with our allies and very satisfied with the sharing of the information, but I think it’s most appropriate to leave it to (the U.S.) to comment on their intelligence and the response to it.”