As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues, the mention of the dreaded ‘N’ word has put the spotlight on the disaster the world could face if Moscow opts for Armageddon.

Russia has put its nuclear forces on alert, calling it a special regime of combat duty; these include the Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that have a range of 5,000 plus and are designed to use nuclear weapons.

While the Russian announcement might just be a deterrent as such weapons always maintain a high-level of readiness, the mention of the word ‘nuclear’ cannot be ignored.

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What this could mean is that Russian nuclear weapon systems could be in the highest state of readiness to be mobilised at a short notice. In the backdrop of talks for negotiations aimed at bringing peace, there is an impending nuclear threat from Russia.

Pavel Podvig, one of the world’s leading experts on Russian nuclear forces, said, “What is this “special mode of combat duty of the deterrence forces”? Hard to tell with certainty, but most likely it means that the nuclear command and control system received what is known as a preliminary command.”

“As I understand the way the system works, in peacetime it cannot physically transmit a launch order, as if the circuits were ‘disconnected’,” Podvig explained in a series of tweets, adding, “… the national command authority can bring the system into a working condition, connecting the wires, so if a launch order can go through if issued. There is also a protocol that protects the system from decapitation.”

What are Russia’s nuclear capabilities?

According to estimates, Russia has close to 6,000 nuclear warheads, slightly more than the US that has over 5,000 and 1,500 have been in a deployment mode. On the other hand, Ukraine has no nuclear capabilities.

Countries like the UK, France, India, Pakistan, China, Israel and North Korea put together have a little over 1,000 nuclear warheads, according to a fact-sheet put out by Arms Control Association that gives a clear picture of Russia’s nuke power. The numbers put into perspective the chilling warning sounded by Russia.

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While the UK and France have their own nuclear weapons, there are nuclear bases in Europe as part of Nato in some of the member countries.

Russia’s nuclear weapons are divided in three categories—tactical, operational tactical and strategic. These include land-based missiles, submarine launched and air-launched warheads.

Russia has been investing in newer and most modern nuclear warfare. Here are some of the new-age nuclear weapons developed in recent years.

Kanyon nuclear torpedo

One of the latest and most potent is the underwater nuclear-powered drone. The unmanned underwater vehicle, a unique weapon, is a gigantic torpedo mounted with a nuclear warhead that can cause tsunami-like destruction. The first test of this deadly weapon was conducted in 2016 and more recently it is said to have completed sea trials. Still not in use but reports suggest around 30 of these will be deployed on four submarines after all tests are conducted.

It can travel at a speed of 185 km/hr. Its focus is on stealth capabilities and not speed as it can destroy coastal areas.

Kinzhal Missile

Part of Russia’s nuclear weapons on its aircraft fleet Kinzhal is an air-launched nuclear capable missile up to the range of up to 2,000 km and can carry a nuclear or conventional payload of about 480 kg. It is being used and fitted on MiG-31 fighter aircraft of the Russian Air Force and has been in service since 2019.

Tuplev Tu-160

Also called the Blackjack, this is the latest version of the nuclear bomber in a new avatar available to the Russian forces. As part of a revival, the bomber aircraft is said to be back to full production as its manufacturing was shut down after the division of Soviet Russia and of the 36 aircraft, only 16 remained operational.

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It can carry long-range nuclear missiles along with usual conventional and nuclear payloads.

Avangad

A hypersonic glide vehicle, it can be used on Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and can carry nuclear payloads.

After the first flight test in 2015, it made rapid advancements and was ready for production by 2018 and in December 2019, the first missile regiment was part of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

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The advantage of a hypersonic glide vehicle over a convention ballistic missile is that it can operate at lower altitudes at high speeds, posing a challenge in detection and defence.

TOPOL- M

An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile with a range of 11,000 km, this nuclear weapon is used by the Russian Army as part of the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces. With a speed of 17,000 km/hr, it is fired from a transporter erector launcher, a gigantic looking truck.

There were plans to have 450-500 of these missiles deployed on such vehicles. The first of these missile test took place in 1994 and it was pressed in service in 2000.

Designed with technology to ensure a strong defence, it can withstand nuclear blasts, radiation, laser hit technology.

RSM56 Bulava

A submarine-launched ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead with a range of 8,000-8,500 km, it’s been operational since 2014.

The missiles will be deployed on Russia’s new Borei-class submarines. Each submarine has the capacity to carry 16 of these missiles.

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Its development started in 1998 and the first tests commenced by 2004.

These are some of the few nuclear weapons that Russia possesses that are part of its deadly arsenal that makes it a potent force. Nuclear prowess adds to Russia’s conventional forces, which are also amongst the most supreme in the world.

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