In September, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin stated that if Russia gets reliable information about large-scale attacks involving aerospace attacks or missile launches crossing its borders, the country might use nuclear weapons. This includes strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic weapons and other delivery vehicles. He also emphasized that the country could use nuclear weapons if the enemy using conventional weapons poses a severe threat.
Putin threatens nuclear war
Ever since Putin made this statement, there has been global tensions have risen, with growing concerns about the possibility of nuclear weapon and their potential severe impact on global safety and peace.
Potential impact of Russian nuclear weapon on US cities
Recently, Newsweek examined the potential impact of Russian nuclear weapon on US cities and its surroundings, using maps created by a professor and historian of nuclear technology Alex Wellerstein. The maps show what would happen if Moscow launched R-36M2, (SS-18 Satan)- one of the largest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM).
Explosion equivalent to 20 megatons
These missiles can create an explosion equivalent to 20 megatons (20,000 kilotons) of TNT and have range of up to 10,000 miles.
How many people might lose their lives in the US?
In Washington, around 1.6 million people can lose their lives, in New York 5.4 million people could perish and in Los Angeles 2.7 million people can die.
Fireball radius
The fireball radius- the inner yellow circle, which covers 15.1 square miles, is the zone where everything would be vaporized due to heat.
Moderate blast damage radius
The more moderate blast damage radius- shown by the inner gray circle, which covers 442 square miles, would destroy residential buildings and likely start widespread fires.
Thermal radiation radius
The thermal radiation radius- the wider orange circle, stretches up to 2,360 square miles. Anyone within this area of explosion could suffer third-degree burns, which is often painless as it destroys pain nerves, but can lead to severe scarring, disabilities and possibly require amputation.
Lift blast damage radius
The lift blast damage radius, which is wider gray circle and covers 3,490 square miles from the blast, glass windows would likely shatter and lead to injuries.
Washington D.C.
In the US capital, 6,077,683 people would be affected by the blast i.e., in all four circles in a 24-hour period. Around 1,638,140 might lose their lives and 2,029,390 might get injured. The fireball would reach Capitol Hill.
New York
Over a 24-hour period, an average of 16,250,858 people would be within the full blast range i.e., in all four circles of the explosion. About 5,458,130 people would lose their lives and 5,601,470 would suffer injuries. New Brunswick and Stamford would be within the light blast damage range.
Los Angeles
On average of 12,092,715 people would be in the full blast range (all four circles) at any given 24-hour period. Around 2,758,790 would die and 4,369,390 would be injured and Thermal radiation would reach Santa Monica, Calabasas, Long Beach, and areas of Pomona.
Chicago
At any given 24-hour period, on average of 7,616,006 people would be in the full blast range (all four circles). It is estimated that 1,991,320 people would die and 2,543,730 might sustain injuries. About half of the moderate blast damage radius, the thermal radiation radius, and the light blast damage radius could impact the Chicago River.
Houston
On average, 5,395,925 people in the full blast range (all four circles), at any given 24-hour period, 1,238,500 would lose their lives and 1,995,390 would suffer injuries.
Phoenix
On average 3,878,156 people would be within the full blast range (all four circles) at any given 24-hour period, and around 972,050 would die and 1,475,300 would sustain injuries.
Philadelphia
On average, 5,930,872 people would be within the full blast range (all four circles) of the simulated explosion in a 24-hour period. Around 1,657,670 would die and 1,998,420 would get injured.
San Antonio
On average of 2,066,944 people in the full blast range (all four circles) in any given 24-hour period, 761,840 might lose their lives and 754,110 would sustain injuries.
San Diego
Over a 24-hour period, on average 4,528,572 people would be in the full blast range (all four circles), resulting in an estimate of 968,640 deaths and 1,695,900 injuries.
Dallas
On average 5,508,224 people would be within the full blast range (all four circles) at any 24-hour period. About 1,045,700 people would lose their lives and 1,957,170 would suffer injuries.
How was the analysis made?
Newsweek made an analysis, calculating the effects of a 20,000-kiloton explosion on 10 U.S. cities, including Washington D.C., and observing the results of an airburst attack. According to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, an airburst attack is considered more likely to be used in a city strike than a surface attack.
These results depend on the height of the explosions. For this study, the explosion was assumed to occur 27,810 feet to maximize the five psi range.
