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Tass reports that Russia will hold an “exercise in the use of tactical nuclear weapons”. The exercise takes place in the areas close to the Ukrainian border. The question is whether Russia is preparing to use these in Ukraine, or whether this is intended to scare Western countries away from further military support.

Usage is a dangerous strategy

If Putin actually chooses to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, this will be a dangerous strategy. Dangerous because radiation will make parts of Ukraine uninhabitable for a long time, while waste and radiation will probably enter Russian territory as well. But perhaps the international reaction will be even more serious for Putin.

Russia will most likely face even stronger sanctions after such an action. Russia is fairly isolated in the international picture and will become even more isolated if Putin really chooses to play the nuclear card. China, which until now has been a neutral supporter of Putin, is unlikely to accept Russian use of tactical nuclear weapons.

The difference between tactical nuclear weapons and strategic nuclear weapons

Strategic nuclear weapons are intercontinental missiles designed to hit targets far away. Such as Russian rockets intended for targets in the US. These have tremendous explosive power and will cause enormous damage and uninhabitable areas for generations where they hit.

Tactical nuclear weapons are primarily intended to take out enemies on the battlefield. Examples of use can be to knock out forces that are materially superior, e.g. superior infantry. While Strategic nuclear weapons are launched from a long distance with e.g. ballistic missiles, tactical ones are often fired from aircraft or land-based systems. The range is often a maximum of 500 km.

When the US used nuclear weapons to end World War II against Japan in 1945, they were bombs that today would be described as tactical. The death toll from the use of the bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki was that approximately 135,000 died from the explosive force and radiation. Since then, about the same number of people have died from late effects caused by radiation.

Russia constantly threatens to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Whether this is a further scaling of the threat, or a preparation for use, remains to be seen.

Sources:

Russia’s nuclear arsenal: how big is it, and who controls it? | Reuters

Russia Will Hold Tactical Nuclear Weapon Drills, Tass Says – Bloomberg

The Kremlin announces nuclear weapons drills in warning to Ukraine’s allies | Euronews