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Original poster

Russia puts its nuclear deterrent on high alert

713 replies

Libertybear80 · 27/02/2022 14:04

Does anyone know what that actually means? Is he threatening nuclear war?

OP posts:
ABitOfAShitShow · 28/02/2022 22:41

@Handsoffreturns

Depends how many hypersonic missiles he has - it’s still relatively new tech so I’m presuming he won’t have replaced his entire arsenal - and the strategy for distribution (given NATO has many members, multiple with the power to retaliate). Supersonic missiles can be intercepted but not hypersonic.

Anyway, I was trying not to speculate or elaborate when folks are so frightened.

notimagain · 28/02/2022 23:23

Supersonic missiles can be intercepted but not hypersonic.

Yep, the capability for a fighter to intercept your common or garden average supersonic air launched missile, the sort of thing the Russian long range Air Force do or did carry around has existed for decades, it’s not easy task but it can be done..

Something hypersonic or something in a ballistic trajectory…not really…

marieantoinehairnet · 01/03/2022 06:15

The problem is, if you watch his last speech, VP isn't just nuts, his true colours as regards to the West are on full show. The things he has said show he has no regard at all for the West, in fact his tone has been one of hatred, he has burnt his bridges.

PicsInRed · 01/03/2022 06:38

[quote HelpMeHiveMind]@Monday55 this is exactly my fear too. If we were ALL gone, who exactly would retaliate? [/quote]
China.

They won't put up with someone who will actually push the button en masse when he has a tantrum.

India, ditto.

North Korea, ditto.

ISIS, ditto.

Any number of group or individual mercenaries inside or outside of Russia, ditto, and inside or outside of power. A man needs his food cooked, his sheets cleaned, and his windows cleaned, and the problem Putin has is that even his own wife probably wants her kids to survive.

No one will put up with that hanging over their heads.

ABitBesotted · 01/03/2022 06:49

@marieantoinehairnet

The problem is, if you watch his last speech, VP isn't just nuts, his true colours as regards to the West are on full show. The things he has said show he has no regard at all for the West, in fact his tone has been one of hatred, he has burnt his bridges.
"West is best" is practically a religion in the West itself (human rights! rule of law! rationalism! science!) but not elsewhere, oddly enough.
Indoctro · 01/03/2022 07:40

There will not be a attack on uk due to the fact with have a nuclear deterrent plus Russia has no need to launch a first strike as they have an effective dead man's switch which the Soviets devised to stop themselves pressing nuclear button.

Indoctro · 01/03/2022 07:45

That said I have to admit I am still extremely worried...but I keep trying to remind myself it won't happen.

I hope the rational side of me is correct.

It's a very scary world right now.

User76745333 · 01/03/2022 08:01

What actually would be the impact if a nuclear bomb was detonated over the sea between Denmark and the uk as was reported as an option on the bbc yesterday? Does anyone actually know?

LemonViolet · 01/03/2022 08:05

@User76745333

What actually would be the impact if a nuclear bomb was detonated over the sea between Denmark and the uk as was reported as an option on the bbc yesterday? Does anyone actually know?
We were talking about this at work yesterday. We didn’t know about the practical effects, how dangerous it would actually be, but we thought that most likely emergency alerts would all go off and we’d be instructed to stay put/lockdown ASAP etc.
User76745333 · 01/03/2022 08:14

Presumably it’s possible to find out the impact because North Korea etc have tested nuclear missiles over the sea

Indoctro · 01/03/2022 08:18

@User76745333

What actually would be the impact if a nuclear bomb was detonated over the sea between Denmark and the uk as was reported as an option on the bbc yesterday? Does anyone actually know?
Well I think you get a 4 minute warning and we would all pray we have a normal west wind. I would be staying inside for 24 hours to at least allow the big matter to settle
notimagain · 01/03/2022 08:20

@User76745333

What actually would be the impact if a nuclear bomb was detonated over the sea between Denmark and the uk as was reported as an option on the bbc yesterday? Does anyone actually know?
It really does depend how big it is.

A small device in the 10-20 kiloton range (think Hiroshima or smaller) delivered as a demonstration of intent might not have much initial effect but there is the fallout…

Anything much bigger is bad news.

notimagain · 01/03/2022 08:20

@User76745333

Presumably it’s possible to find out the impact because North Korea etc have tested nuclear missiles over the sea
Those tests don’t carry warheads, they are purely a test of the missiles.
Indoctro · 01/03/2022 08:23

That's said Its a big step from invading a poorer, smaller country with no military allies to an all out nuclear holocaust. I take it you're aware of what a slippery slope fallacy is.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 01/03/2022 08:23

I wonder what the warning system would be. We don't have air raid warnings anymore and not everyone has the TV or radio on all the time 🤔

Indoctro · 01/03/2022 08:24

@User76745333

Presumably it’s possible to find out the impact because North Korea etc have tested nuclear missiles over the sea
Missiles yes, nuclear warheads no. They are testing the means that carry the warhead.
LemonViolet · 01/03/2022 08:27

Someone posted on here yesterday there is an alert system that would send messages to all mobile devices - phones, tablets etc - they would make loud siren noises even if on silent.

LemonViolet · 01/03/2022 08:27

www.gov.uk/alerts

Indoctro · 01/03/2022 08:27

@BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation

I wonder what the warning system would be. We don't have air raid warnings anymore and not everyone has the TV or radio on all the time 🤔
We no longer have a warning system but from the start of this year the uk government was going to start installing a new Emergency alert system. I doubt it's in place yet though.
Normando91 · 01/03/2022 08:36

I hate to wish anyone dead…

But for the past 5 mornings I have woken up with the hope that I’ll turn the news on and instead of them reporting the horrible overnight bombings in Ukraine, they would be reporting that Putin had been taken out by one of his own. One can only hope 🙏

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 01/03/2022 08:40

It must be similar to the flood warning system perhaps.

Iamnotamermaid · 01/03/2022 08:47

I am wondering if China will start to exert pressure on Putin to back off. China only looks after China and whilst they have 'stood by' Russia, if this continues it will hurt China's export markets, which China may feel inclined to do something about.

yoolia · 01/03/2022 08:54

China has already come out and said it doesn't support sanctions on Russia.

prh47bridge · 01/03/2022 09:00

@User76745333

What actually would be the impact if a nuclear bomb was detonated over the sea between Denmark and the uk as was reported as an option on the bbc yesterday? Does anyone actually know?
It depends on the size of the bomb used, at what height it was detonated, the direction of the wind and other factors. If Putin did go down this route, it would probably be a smaller bomb intended as a warning shot rather than aiming to cause significant damage. Of course, even a small bomb would be disastrous for sea life and boats in the area of the blast if it is low in the atmosphere. The main danger for those further away would be radiation (depending on the direction of the wind) and EMP which could knock out electrical equipment. If it is sufficiently high in the atmosphere, the EMP and radiation could damage or destroy some satellites.
Ciaram55 · 01/03/2022 09:05

@Normando91

I hate to wish anyone dead…

But for the past 5 mornings I have woken up with the hope that I’ll turn the news on and instead of them reporting the horrible overnight bombings in Ukraine, they would be reporting that Putin had been taken out by one of his own. One can only hope 🙏

Absolutely, I think there'd be plenty of rejoicing.