Princeton University specialists Sharon Weiner and Moritz Kuett have created a simulator that allows you to play the role of the US president, who must make a decision on a retaliatory nuclear strike by a conditional Russia. The virtual experiment was described by Financial Times journalist John Thornhill.
"Three hundred nuclear missiles are rushing towards the United States. Probably, this is a preemptive strike by a conditional Russia, designed to destroy all ground mines with intercontinental ballistic missiles available in the country. Missile defense cannot shoot down all enemy missiles, which means the death of two million Americans," the author of the publication describes the task facing the "US president".
Thornhill writes that the "head of state" has 15 minutes to decide whether to strike back, assuming the implementation of one of three scenarios. As a result, from 5 to 45 million people may die.
It is noted that the first scenario involves a strike on the main Russian nuclear facilities, the second — on all nuclear facilities. The third scenario, in addition to the destruction of nuclear facilities, allows the destruction of industrial enterprises and the military-political leadership of the enemy country.
In January, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu called the nuclear shield the main guarantor of the country's sovereignty.
