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.
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.
Babar hoping paceman Rauf will regain full fitness and make an impact for Pakistan at T20 World Cup
China Highway collapse kills at least 48 in Guangdong
Zhejiang crush Shanghai to reach CBA semis
Longtime Missouri basketball coach Norm Stewart entered into the Hall of Famous Missourians
Woman, 62, is left baffled as she turns up to a hospital scan only to be told she's already dead
Crawford goes 7 innings, Wong has 3 hits and Red Sox beat Giants 6
Polland wins PGA club pro title. Nineteen others advance to PGA Championship
Computer says no! Bizarre technology fails that will make you want to go offline
Donald Trump calls Joe Biden weak on antisemitism, ignoring his own rhetoric
Australian hockey legend expects Olympic medal for China women's team
RuPaul's Drag Race Australia judge Rhys Nicholson lists unique Coburg townhouse for $850K
Good Morning Britain snub Ben Shephard weeks after he quit the ITV show for This Morning