“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will, without a doubt, use all available means to protect Russia and our people – this is no bluff,” Vladimir Putin said in a rare televised address to the nation. The message has already prompted a backlash from the UK, with Defense Secretary Ben Wallace saying “no amount of threats and propaganda” can disguise that Ukraine is winning the war. Putin issues nuclear threat – Ukraine war live updates But what nuclear weapons does Russia actually have, and what damage could they do? Sky News took a look. How many nuclear weapons does Russia have? According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has a total stockpile of 5,977 nuclear warheads – the largest in the world. By comparison, the US has 5,428 while France has 290 and the UK 225. He says that about 90% of all nuclear warheads belong to Russia and the United States. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reports that Russia’s arsenal includes 4,447 warheads of which 1,588 are deployed on ballistic missiles and heavy bomber bases. It says there are “approximately 977 additional strategic warheads, along with 1,912 non-strategic warheads” held in reserve. However, experts said the exact number of warheads and weapons is not known due to secrecy surrounding security strategies and concerns. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:31 “We’re playing with fire” What threat do weapons pose to Ukraine and the wider world? Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in Russia’s possession have the ability to reach and destroy major global cities such as London or Washington. ICBMs can reach top speed around 10 minutes after launch, which could see one launched from Russia reach the UK in just 20 minutes. In March, Mr Putin sounded the alarm around the world after he put his nuclear deterrent on high alert. At the time, defense expert General Sir Richard Barons told Sky News: “President Putin has raised the stakes – he has started to imply nuclear weapons globally. “That means the type of equipment [like] an intercontinental ballistic missile – that means it reaches from Russia to the US and apparently Europe. “The warhead at the front of it has a yield of between 300 and 800 kilotons [of TNT equivalent]. “Three hundred kilotons is enough to destroy Washington or London or Paris. “We should understand that the stakes for Ukraine have now become global. “Essentially, by raising the specter of nuclear weapons, the rest of the Western Hemisphere is now on the field with Ukraine.” Image: A ballistic missile system has the potential to wreak havoc on cities around the world, experts say. Image file He added that other equipment capable of firing smaller weapons would still wreak havoc on their target. For example, the 2S7 gun – caliber 203 mm – has a range of about 37 km. [22 miles] and fires a projectile weighing 110 kg. Sir Richard added: “It can also launch a nuclear missile with a yield of about one kiloton – a thousand tonnes of TNT equivalent. “So when President Putin starts talking about nuclear options, he may have this in mind. “Then it can switch to the Iskander missile – range of about 500 km [310 miles]. “In its conventional form, it launches a missile with a 480 kg warhead, which is huge, with an accuracy of about five meters. “It can be used to launch a nuclear weapon with a yield between five and 50 kilotons. “So at that range and at that kind of performance it would be absolutely devastating.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:38 Kyiv is preparing for an “attack” Is Russia’s stock likely to change? The Russians are continuing a “comprehensive” modernization program to replace most of the weapons they inherited from the Soviet era. It is also said to introduce new types of weapons. Hans M Kristensen and Matt Korda, writing for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, stated: “As of early 2022, we estimate that Russia has a stockpile of approximately 4,477 nuclear warheads intended for use by long-range strategic launchers and tactically smaller range of nuclear forces, which is a slight decrease from last year. Read more: Bodies of Ukrainian troops ‘thrown like dogs in ditch’ Navalny says alleged recruitment of Russian prisoners is like ‘Suicide Squad’ “Of the stockpiled warheads, approximately 1,588 strategic warheads are deployed: approximately 812 on land-based ballistic missiles, approximately 576 on submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and possibly 200 on heavy bomber bases.” The Bulletin also states that as of February 23, “some of the Russian delivery vehicles deployed near Ukraine are considered to be dual-capable, meaning they can be used to launch conventional or nuclear weapons.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 0:41 Cluster munitions hit buildings in Kharkiv What would be the expected procedure for Russia to launch a nuclear weapon? The country’s president, defense minister or chief of staff must give permission through what is called the nuclear Cheget suitcase. Russian nuclear doctrine allows the use of what is known as a tactical nuclear weapon — a limited nuclear explosion — to be deployed in a conventional conflict to make the enemy retreat. Strategic nuclear weapons can hit targets much further away, such as the US. Tactical nuclear weapons are the term used for those deployed on the battlefield, such as Ukraine. Follow The Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Globally, what is happening to the amount of nuclear weapons? Other countries are buying or developing their own new missiles, driven by security concerns and a desire to reduce dependence on other suppliers. Before the decade is out, Asia in particular will be swarming with conventional missiles that will fly faster, hit harder and be more sophisticated than ever before. China is mass-producing its DF-26 – a multipurpose weapon with a range of up to 4,000 km (2,485 miles). The US is developing new weapons aimed at countering Beijing in the Pacific. Taiwan and Japan are also building up their missile capabilities, as well as defense systems designed to counter missile threats. The Federation of American Scientists said nine countries had about 12,700 warheads as of early 2022.
