Do Russia’s military setbacks increase the risk of nuclear conflict?
Tactical nuclear weapons are smaller, but using them would carry huge risks
THE SPECTACULAR collapse of Vladimir Putin’s army in Kharkiv province has revived concerns that Russia might resort to nuclear weapons. “I fear that they will strike back now in really unpredictable ways,” warned Rose Gottemoeller, a former deputy secretary-general of NATO, “and ways that may even involve weapons of mass destruction.” Ms Gottemoeller, speaking to the BBC, said she was not worried about Russia’s massive intercontinental ballistic missiles, which cross oceans and can destroy cities, but its so-called tactical nuclear weapons. What are these, and might Mr Putin use them if he is losing the war?
This article appeared in the The Economist explains section of the print edition under the headline “Do Russia’s military setbacks increase the risk of nuclear conflict?”
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