Russia’s Defense Ministry said Monday that the military would hold drills involving tactical nuclear weapons — the first time such an exercise has been publicly announced by Moscow. A look at tactical nuclear weapons and the part they play in the Kremlin’s political messaging. WHAT ARE TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS?Unlike nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that can destroy entire cities, tactical nuclear weapons for use against troops on the battlefield are less powerful and can have a yield as small as about 1 kiloton. The U.S. bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II was 15 kilotons. Such battlefield nuclear weapons — aerial bombs, warheads for short-range missiles or artillery munitions — can be very compact. Their small size allows them to be discreetly carried on a truck or plane. Unlike strategic weapons, which have been subject to arms control agreements between Moscow and Washington, tactical weapons never have been limited by any such pacts, and Russia hasn’t released their numbers or any other specifics related to them. |
China's talent pool goes for gloryChinese paddlers reign supreme at Durban table tennis worldsPosters for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics releasedChinese paddlers Wang, Sun lift trophies at WTT Cup FinalsHighlights of women's 81kg event at 2022 World Weightlifting ChampionshipsChina records nearly 5 bln domestic trips in 2023Clean energy key to CO2 goalsChina Focus: China embraces wider winter sports, leisure participationTeam China braced for tough challengeHarbin war museum sees soaring visits