Putin's nuclear threat: How Britain, the US and their allies can respond to this
In the West, they again remembered about the "Russian nuclear threat". The author of the Daily Express article cited the opinions of several Britons. One of them announced the "stunning" response of the West and predicted complete destruction of Moscow and St. Petersburg. But the readers of the newspaper did not support him.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly threatened the West with nuclear deterrence forces in recent months if it intervenes in the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. But how exactly can Western allies respond to such an attack?
In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that if Britain, the United States and their allies crossed the line and carried out military intervention in Ukraine, his country would respond "lightning fast." This 69-year-old Russian leader is constantly rattling weapons, trying to contain the support provided to Kiev, and the topic of nuclear weapons regularly arises as a threat to the West.
Two weeks ago, President Putin told Russian lawmakers: "If someone intends to interfere in the ongoing events from the outside and will create threats of a strategic nature unacceptable to Russia, they should know that our responses to counter strikes will be lightning fast."
"We have all the tools for this: those that no one can boast of now, and we will not brag. We will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know about it."
Moscow reportedly has 5,977 nuclear weapons. This is slightly more than the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which together have 5,943 units.
So how can the West respond in the event of a nuclear strike by Russia?
If President Putin decides to launch a nuclear-armed missile at Britain or another NATO country, it will be considered an attack on all 30 member states of the alliance in accordance with article 5 of its charter.
A nuclear attack is sure to be followed by a retaliatory nuclear attack.
The editor of the London Evening Standard covering military issues, Robert Fox, told Matthew Wright from the LBC radio station that the speed of such a response from the West would be staggering, and Moscow and St. Petersburg would be wiped off the face of the Earth in less than two minutes.
He stated: "Nuclear blackmail is a very, very difficult game, and I think the Russian generals know about it."
"All reasonable people in Putin's army know about this, because there will be no winners in this case."
"If he uses it, then help us, Lord. But St. Petersburg and Moscow will be destroyed in 90 seconds!"
Two weeks ago, the editor of the BBC covering Russia, Steve Rosenberg, tweeted about a report warning London shown on Russian state television. It said that Moscow could "permanently sink" Britain with its 100-megaton Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which would cause a tsunami and turn the country into a "radioactive desert."
But Britain has the necessary defensive means to shoot down nuclear warheads. For example, it can use the means of the American Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as "Star Wars", to intercept and destroy such nuclear weapons. This system was created in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan, when the United States and the Soviet Union were waging a Cold War.
In addition, the government can use Type 45 destroyers, whose defensive systems are capable of repelling any nuclear attack.
If necessary, these ships can be located in the Thames Estuary to protect London and the surrounding areas.
Will there be a nuclear war?
When President Putin put Russia's nuclear forces on high alert in March, he did not signal any intention to use them in the near future. Moreover, earlier he warned that the threat of nuclear war should not be underestimated, and that such a conflict "could lead to the death of the entire civilization, and maybe the planet."
Western leaders are well aware of the likely consequences of a nuclear war and realize that such a threat prevents NATO from joining the fighting in Ukraine.
Author: James Gray
Readers' comments
Fred607
To me, a ten-year-old, this article seemed cool, amazing.
Mothman
Well done, Fred, it's good that you're interested in current affairs at this age. The article was written, apparently, also by a man of your age. Keep it up.
JohnJBrown
Russia will suffer a lot of damage, but the United States will also suffer, as well as a significant part of Europe. And we will probably be the worst of all, because we have a small country, but with a relatively large population.
Amrak
Russia is on its knees!
peter. am
This is not true, it had the best first quarter in terms of grain and gas exports, which increased. The army is now well armed and has very good equipment. For a reason, Russia ranks second in the world in terms of arms exports. India upset the United States by giving preference to Russian military equipment.
AyeWhatever
Putin needs to act cautiously, America has talked in the past about a preemptive nuclear strike on Russia, according to historical TV channels. We'd better not bet on the fact that America has a completely different mindset now.
HENGIST
Now everyone will think that this newspaper is promoting the Apocalypse. Probably, this happens to journalists who are tired of the annoying routine, who miss the news. They described the queen's corgis in all possible colors, the minor transgressions of the royal family, gave a bunch of weather forecasts, that is, they did everything that passes for news in modern Britain. And now life has lost its meaning for them. Therefore, our friends from Fleet Street decided to finish it with a loud nuclear accompaniment. Let them just find a way to do it selectively, let them die in the nuclear abyss themselves, and they don't involve us in this matter.
Geomcg
When one country shoots at 30 countries, it's not the same when 30 countries shoot at one country. I am sure there are still reasonable people in the Kremlin.
AyeWhatever
Something else is more important here. Will he use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine? If it does, how will the West respond? One can only guess about this.
PaulCedron
Britain after Brexit is no longer considered an ally of the West. It is considered a safe haven for Russian oligarchs. And if you listen to what Farage says about Putin and Russia, it becomes clear that Britain after Brexit and the supporters of this very Brexit are all Putin's allies.
Foxxx
The problem is that neither side wants to back down, and this can bring the conflict to a very dangerous level.
Richard Webb
You understand that if Britain is bombed, Harry and Meghan will become the king and queen of all that remains!
SolarWind
So there will be nothing left.
TheSkipper
The media, stop hyping this threat for money. This is as irresponsible as Putin's actions and threats.
Basil Faulty
All this is wonderful, but I would not rely on NATO for anything. Most of its members are useless freeloaders, and America is currently led by the worst, most ineffective president in history, and of the left. If Russia attacks, we will fight back alone, so we need to rely on our own nuclear deterrence forces.
