World
January 13, 2025 12:07
united states, russia - The US is bracing for a renewed nuclear threat from Russia: a potential weapon capable of shutting down an entire power grid through an electromagnetic pulse (EMP).
During the Cold War, both the US and the Soviet Union were involved in developing nuclear EMP weapons. In 1962, the US conducted a test above the Pacific Ocean, where an EMP caused significant damage to the electrical infrastructure in Hawaii. The Soviet Union also experimented with EMP weapons that same year.
As a result of Operation K, a 570-kilometer-long aboveground telephone line was completely burnt out west of the Kazakh district of Jezqazğan. An energy plant in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, was also destroyed.
Both countries concluded that EMP weapons are highly destructive and took measures to protect against them, creating advanced detection systems. An EMP attack seemed unrealistic for both Russia and the US for a long time. However, recent developments have changed that. US officials suspect Russia is developing new nuclear weapons to deploy via satellite.
Last December, US officials revealed to The New York Times that Russian scientists are testing a satellite that could potentially cause an EMP. Russia claims the Cosmos 2553 satellite is designed to test radiation systems, but the US questions this, stating it could be a weapon capable of destroying hundreds, if not thousands, of crucial satellites.
If EMPs occur too close to the Earth's surface, it could have serious consequences for the electricity infrastructure. A significant amount of radiation would be released, potentially causing various electrical systems to short-circuit. EMP researcher Jonathan Hollerman believes we should take the threat of satellites in space more seriously, stating, 'The next war will look different than we think. It will be fought in the electromagnetic spectrum.' The Telegraph even suggests EMPs could be utilized as 'doomsday weapons.'
US President-elect Donald Trump is closely monitoring the developments. During his first term, he addressed the risks of EMP attacks, signing a presidential order in 2019 to implement measures protecting against EMP threats.
'EMPs pose a threat to critical infrastructure in our country,' explained then-US Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen. 'Together with our partners, we are preparing as best as possible for EMP threats. The department is grateful to the president for his commitment to protecting Americans.'
When Joe Biden succeeded the Republican, he revoked the presidential order. If Trump returns as president soon, he may try to reintroduce EMP protection to the political agenda. He will not only watch out for Russia but also for countries like China and North Korea, which are actively pursuing multiple space programs posing potential threats to the US and the world.