Date of publication: 15:41, 06.04.24
Category: War
Number of views: 7
Time to read: 2 min

Does Putin have the technical capability to launch a nuclear strike on Ukraine: an expert explains

The suitability of Russian nuclear weapons ended around 2014-2015.

Can Putin use nuclear weapons against Ukraine / Photo: TSN.ua

Currently, no one knows the condition of Russian nuclear weapons and whether Moscow can use them.

Director of the Center of Applied Political Studies "Penta", Oleksandr Leonov, told about this on KYIV24.

When asked about Russia's capability to launch a nuclear strike, he responded that according to various estimates, the suitability of Russian nuclear weapons ended around 2014-2015.

"In addition, nuclear warheads need to be updated every 20, maximum 30 years, depending on whether it's plutonium and so on. So, in reality, no one knows the condition of Russia's nuclear weapons and delivery systems," Leonov stated.

He added that, according to estimates, the Russians should have about 10,000 warheads, but they need to be delivered to the USA and other countries.

"The Patriots have shown that they intercept very well and the ballistic missiles. Another point is that the Russian Tu aircraft that launch cruise missiles, there are very few of them now. It's not like hundreds that existed in the Soviet Union, but literally two dozen, which take off and strike Ukraine," the expert said.

The "Patriots" have shown that they are also very good at shooting down ballistic missiles. Another point is that the Russian Tu aircraft that launch cruise missiles. There are very few of them now. It's not like hundreds that existed in the Soviet Union, but literally two dozen, which take off and strike Ukraine," the expert said.

He added that at the moment no one knows what dictator Putin has in mind, but he has much less technical capabilities to use nuclear weapons than the USSR had.

Read also:

Related topics