Washington: Russian nuclear anti-satellite system is 'troubling'

US National Security Communications Spokesperson John Kirby told journalists the new Russian system was not operational.

Transcript

00:00 The White House has been trying to calm public concerns regarding an alleged Russian nuclear

00:06 anti-satellite system.

00:08 National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said the new system was still in development

00:13 stages.

00:14 He confirmed that the Russian project had anti-satellite capabilities, but added it

00:19 didn`t pose any threat to humans or materials on the surface of the planet.

00:25 This is not an active capability that`s been deployed.

00:28 And though Russia`s pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate

00:32 threat to anyone`s safety.

00:34 We are not talking about a weapon that could be used to attack human beings or cause physical

00:39 destruction here on Earth.

00:42 That said, we`ve been closely monitoring this Russian activity and we will continue to take

00:47 it very seriously.

00:48 According to U.S. media, many experts are wary that the main targets of the Russian

00:52 system would be U.S. satellites that provide communication and control over their nuclear

00:57 arsenal.

00:58 It is not clear if the system would use nuclear weapons to shoot down the satellites or only

01:03 use it as a power source.

01:06 Moscow has slammed the claims.

01:10 Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described them as a ruse intended to make the U.S. Congress

01:15 support aid bills for Ukraine.

01:17 (whooshing)