A few weeks ago, Russian state television hyped up the threat of nuclear war by claiming that the Pentagon, Camp David, and Jim Creek Naval Radio Station would be targeted. Then, the next day, the same network reported that high-value targets in North Dakota and Montana might be spared. The threat is now real, but we don’t know where it will come from. The United States is a huge country that consists of several countries.
There are two types of nuclear weapons. Strategic nukes are larger, with ranges of more than 10,000 miles and yields of more than 150 kilotons. Battlefield nuclear weapons are smaller, low-yield, and short-range. While the United States maintains a vast arsenal of strategic nukes, the Russians have mostly low-yield, short-range, and medium-range nukes.
Although there is no guarantee of Russian nukes reaching the U.S., the two countries share many interests and are committed to maintaining these relationships. Currently, there are no nuclear weapons in Russia that can reach the U.S., but the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has limits on their intercontinental ranges. Even if Russia decides to attack the Ukraine, its atomic arsenal would still have the potential to hit the United States.
If Russia decides to move into NATO nations, the United States will likely intervene to protect our allies. With growing concerns of World War 3, the USA may be next. President Putin has said that the Russians have nuclear weapons that can destroy American cities. However, despite the distance, they are still capable of destroying American cities if they choose to. And even if they do, it’s unlikely to cause widespread destruction.
The question of how long can Russian nukes reach the US? While both nations have shared interests, the nuclear weapons in Russia are capable of destroying the US. The U.S. and Russia have many mutual interests, but they have also fought each other in Ukraine. If the former decides to attack Ukraine, can Russia’s allies destroy their opponents and then move on to Europe? With these new capabilities, the question becomes: Can Russia reach the United States?
If Russia launches a nuclear attack, there is no time for negotiations or apologies. The U.S. military remains at a “reasonable posture” and has the capability to defend its allies. The atomic weaponry in Russia is so large that it can threaten any country. The rapid advance of the Russian military in Syria and Ukraine would put the entire planet on the brink of nuclear war.
The U.S. and Russia share numerous common interests and are largely dependent on each other to maintain stability in their region. They have long sought mutual cooperation and respect for one another. But they are worried about each other’s nuclear arsenal. Indeed, they have the same concerns as the United States. So, it is a reasonable question to ask: can Russian nukes reach the U.S.?
The answer is no, and for now, no. While Russian nuclear weapons can reach the U.S., they are limited by the NPT. The agreement requires both countries to maintain their nuclear arms. A successful defense against such a threat is essential. If Russia wants to prevent the U.S. from acquiring nukes, it will need to first stop Ukraine’s aggression in its tracks. This is the only way to prevent a Soviet-American conflict.
The U.S. and Russia share a common interest in preventing nuclear war. But both countries need to act cautiously to protect their mutual interests. For instance, the U.S. should consider the Russian government’s intentions and the Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. Both nations have strong relationships with the U.S. So, how can the US combat Russia? This question has many possible answers.
The U.S. and Russia must meet the central limits of their nuclear arsenals before they can use them in combat. The U.S. has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. But the Soviet Union has not yet used it in combat. The treaty ended the global nuclear monopoly in 1950. The United States and the Russians have since tested their nuclear weapons. It is unclear when the Soviets will use them.