All articles tagged with #nuclear weapon
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful testing of a nuclear-powered underwater drone called Poseidon, considered a superweapon capable of causing tsunamis to devastate coastal cities, amid ongoing military developments and geopolitical tensions.
President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia successfully tested the nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik, which flew 14,000 km over 15 hours, showcasing its advanced military capabilities amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine and stalled peace talks.
The White House warns Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within weeks if authorized by its leader, raising concerns over regional stability and potential U.S. military action, with President Trump set to decide within two weeks amid ongoing tensions and negotiations.
In October 2022, President Biden privately warned of intercepted communications suggesting that Russia's threats to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine might be turning into an operational plan, marking the first direct threat of nuclear weapon use since the Cuban Missile Crisis. Intercepted conversations within the Russian military revealed discussions about reaching into the nuclear arsenal, with one senior commander explicitly discussing the logistics of detonating a weapon on the battlefield. While there was no evidence of weapons being moved, the CIA warned that the likelihood of nuclear use could rise to 50 percent or higher if Ukrainian forces decimated Russian defensive lines and looked poised to retake Crimea.
American spy agencies are concerned about Russia's potential plan to place a nuclear weapon in space, prompting Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to engage with China and India on the matter. The concern arose after Russia conducted secret military satellite launches and developed a space-based weapon that could threaten global satellite systems. While there is uncertainty about Russia's intentions, U.S. officials fear the potential impact on global communications and navigation if a nuclear weapon were placed in orbit.
A rusted Cold War-era missile, designed to carry a nuclear warhead, was discovered in a deceased man's garage in Washington state. The relic, identified as a Douglas AIR-2 Genie, was found to be inert and harmless due to the lack of warhead and rocket fuel. The missile, a significant artifact from the Cold War era, was left with a neighbor to be restored for display in a museum, as the military did not request it back. This discovery follows a similar incident in the UK where a couple's garden ornament turned out to be a live bomb from the 19th century.
North Korea has tested a nuclear-capable underwater attack drone in response to joint naval exercises involving the US, South Korea, and Japan, warning of "catastrophic consequences" for the US and its allies. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been elevated amid Pyongyang's repeated weapons tests, with the latest being a new solid-fuel missile fitted with a hypersonic warhead. This comes as authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un ordered the closure of government bodies dedicated to inter-Korean rapprochement, signaling a rollback of efforts towards reconciliation with South Korea.
Israeli Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu suggested that dropping a nuclear weapon on the Gaza Strip is "an option," claiming there are no non-combatants in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Eliyahu's comments as divorced from reality and suspended him from government meetings. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called for Eliyahu's removal, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir clarified that Eliyahu was speaking metaphorically. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant dismissed Eliyahu's statements as baseless, emphasizing the importance of responsible leadership in Israel's security.
Russia has deployed the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) for combat duty, according to the head of state space agency Roscosmos. The Sarmat, which Putin has described as "invincible," is a next-generation missile capable of carrying nuclear charges. Weighing over 200 tons and designed to elude anti-missile defense systems, it gives enemy surveillance systems a limited window to track it down. The Sarmat is part of Russia's next-generation missile arsenal, which also includes the Kinzhal and Avangard hypersonic missiles.
The Davy Crockett Recoilless Rifle, a portable nuclear weapon developed in the 1950s, combined the power of a nuke with the portability of artillery. However, its design posed significant safety concerns for the soldiers operating it, as they would be exposed to the detonation and potential global conflict. The weapon was never used in combat and was retired in 1971, but it gained notoriety in the video game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, warned that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a matter of months if it decides to do so. He added that the United States is closely monitoring Iran's nuclear program and that the country's actions could have significant implications for international relations.
North Korea claimed it tested a "nuclear underwater attack drone" this week amid joint US and South Korean military drills. The new underwater weapon is designed to “stealthily infiltrate into operational waters” and target naval striker groups and enemy ports, North Korea claimed. The weapons test came as the US and South Korea wrapped up Freedom Shield 23, a series of military drills around the Korean Peninsula that began on March 11. North Korea also fired multiple strategic cruise missiles from the South Hamgyong province on Wednesday.
The US military has "multiple options" ready if Iran decides to develop a nuclear weapon, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. Iran could produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon in less than two weeks, after which it would take several more months to develop a nuclear weapon. The Biden administration has shifted its focus away from reviving the nuclear deal, citing Iran's continued crackdown on protesters and its continued supply of armed drones to Russia. Iran maintains that its nuclear program exists for peaceful purposes only.