The prospect of global nuclear war has been a line that neither Russia or the West were willing to cross. Now, Experts in Russian doctrine worry that as the war in Ukraine gets more desperate, Russia might be tempted to detonate a nuclear weapon.
A Russian Iskander-M missile launcher parades through Red Square in central Moscow on May 7, 2022. The Iskander is one of several Russian systems that can launch nuclear weapons.KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images
"We are at this fairly dangerous junction," says Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the U.N. Institute for Disarmament Research who tracks Russia's nuclear forces. Podvig says he thinks the likelihood Russia would use a nuclear weapon is"extremely low." But he adds,"I do worry."At the height of the Cold War, both the U.S. and the Soviet Union amassed enormous stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
"For Russia, nuclear weapons, in particular non-strategic nuclear weapons, are really intended to counterbalance what they see as U.S. and NATO conventional superiority," Fink says., including 1,000-2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, says Hans Kristensen, head of the nuclear information project at the Federation of American Scientists, a Washington think tank. While the public often imagines tactical nukes as smaller weapons, Kristensen says the Russian arsenal is diverse.
A medical worker runs past a burning car after a Russian attack in Kyiv. Russia has many non-nuclear drones and missiles capable of hitting far behind the front lines.A medical worker runs past a burning car after a Russian attack in Kyiv. Russia has many non-nuclear drones and missiles capable of hitting far behind the front lines.
"I think as his position gets more dire, the more willing he might be to gamble for resurrection with nuclear use," Kroenig says.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Russia-Ukraine live updates: Drones strike Kyiv early MondayMultiple blasts struck Kyiv on Monday morning. Here's the latest:
Baca lebih lajut »
What to know about the Iranian kamikaze drones Russia is using to attack UkraineThe attack highlighted how Russia is increasingly turning to using attack drones built and supplied by Iran to bolster its failing war effort in Ukraine.
Baca lebih lajut »
Russia is grabbing men off the street to fight in UkraineWith reinforcements needed for the war in Ukraine, Russian press gangs are snatching fighting-age men from cafes, offices and homeless shelters.
Baca lebih lajut »
Iran plans to send missiles, drones to Russia for Ukraine war, officials sayThe increased flow of weapons could help offset steep Russian weapons losses and provide precision-guided munitions like those used in strikes in Ukraine last week.
Baca lebih lajut »
Live blog: Russia, Ukraine forces locked in fierce battle for Bakhmut townUkraine has been clawing back large swaths of territory in south and east –– including Donetsk –– controlled by Russians, but Kiev says situation is 'most difficult' near Bakhmut town, as fighting enters its 235th day Follow our live coverage:👇
Baca lebih lajut »