Russia and China are considering the possibility of sending a nuclear reactor to the moon in the coming decade, Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS report.

Both countries would like to see a nuclear unit installed on the surface of the moon by 2033-2035, according to Yuri Borisov, head of Roscosmos, the Russian space agency.

The announcement came after the White House in mid-February accused Russia of developing anti-satellite nuclear weapons, calling it “alarming” but not an immediate threat. Moscow condemned the “malicious” and “unsubstantiated” information as a maneuver by the US executive branch to force Ukraine to accept an aid package.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 20 that Moscow “categorically” opposes the placement of nuclear weapons in space.