White House confirms Russia has obtained an emerging 'anti-satellite' weapon

The White House on Thursday confirmed that Russia has obtained an emerging anti-satellite weapon, but said it cannot directly cause “physical destruction” on Earth directly. 

This confirmation comes after House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner urged President Biden to declassify information related to a "serious national security threat." 

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that the weapon is not fully operational and U.S. officials are looking into the information they have on it. 

“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, according to The Associated Press.

 “We’re not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on earth," he added.