What are tactical nuclear weapons and why did Russia order drills?
Russia’s Defense Ministry said Monday that the military would hold drills involving tactical nuclear weapons — the first time such an exercise has been publicly announced by Moscow.
A look at tactical nuclear weapons and the part they play in the Kremlin’s political messaging.
WHAT ARE TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS?
Unlike nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can destroy entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons for use against troops on the battlefield are less powerful and can have a yield as small as about 1 kiloton. The U.S. bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II was 15 kilotons.
Such battlefield nuclear weapons — aerial bombs, warheads for short-range missiles or artillery munitions — can be very compact. Their small size allows them to be discreetly carried on a truck or plane.
Unlike strategic weapons, which have been subject to arms control agreements between Moscow and Washington, tactical weapons never have been limited by any such pacts, and Russia hasn’t released their numbers or any other specifics related to them.
Related articles
Tom Brady fans in hysterics over Netflix Roast as they hail the quarterback's jokes a 10/10
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, 46, had to be a good sport and brace himself as he got bru2024-05-08- Britain's Got Talent will make its long-awaited return to screens on Saturday for a brand new series2024-05-08
Adzija, Kosta guide Boston to 2
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Lexie Adzija and Nicole Kosta both had a goal and an assist to propel Boston to2024-05-08Rumer Willis celebrates daughter Louetta's first birthday with heart
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter Rumer Willis marked her own baby girl Louetta's first birthda2024-05-08Police search Brussels office of prominent far
BERLIN (AP) — Authorities were searching the European Parliament office of a prominent German far-ri2024-05-08Arturas Karnisovas vows to make changes after the Bulls missed playoffs for 2nd straight season
CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas fe2024-05-08
atest comment