Joe Biden must publicise Russian nuclear threat to avoid ‘day zero’: US lawmaker

Ominous words from chairman of House Intelligence committee uttered amid reports Moscow is developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon

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A Russian Iskander missile is seen during drills to train the military for using tactical nuclear weapons at an undisclosed location in Russia. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

Published: 4:30am, 21 Jun 2024Updated: 5:19am, 21 Jun 2024

The chairman of a powerful US House committee demanded on Thursday that the administration of Joe Biden publicise its intelligence on Russia’s ability to bring about global catastrophe.

Ohio Republican Mike Turner’s insistence came as nuclear tensions rise amid Russia’s threat to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine in its war there and while China rapidly expands its nuclear arsenal.

The call also coincided with reports that Moscow was developing an anti-satellite nuclear weapon, a point Turner considered especially alarming.

“The administration is sleepwalking into an irreversible day zero,” Turner said in remarks at the Centre for International and Strategic Studies, a Washington think tank. “It would be catastrophic, economically, militarily, communication to society.”

US congressman Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, chairs the US House Intelligence committee. Photo: EPA-EFE

Turner believed such a weapon deployed against US satellites would be calamitous for agriculture, medicine, commercial transactions, communications, maritime navigation and international security.