Ukraine’s Weapons Pose Threat to One-Third of Russia’s Nuclear Arsenal, Raising Concerns of Escalation
Ukraine’s long-range drones and missiles pose a significant threat to a substantial portion of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, potentially putting about one-third of its warheads in a vulnerable position. Approximately 30% of Russia’s estimated 5,580 nuclear warheads are stored within reach of Ukrainian weapons, including at least 14 facilities within range of Ukrainian drones, some as close as 160 kilometers from the border. The vulnerability of these storage sites, particularly during transportation for maintenance, highlights a “dire risk” posed by Russia’s inadequate security measures. This situation is compounded by Russia’s reluctance to relocate its nuclear arsenal further from the border, potentially driven by a desire to avoid appearing weak or a lack of understanding regarding the risks involved.
John Q. Hosedrinker