Russia's commitment of Nuclear Missile breaks with the deterrent doctrine

Russia's commitment of Nuclear Missile breaks with the deterrent doctrine

The use of a nuclear-capable ballistic ballistic aircraft by Russia. Escalation in the Ukraine conflict. This step marks a crucial and potentially dangerous moment in the moscience of dealing with the West.

The change in the deterrent doctrine

The use of a ballistic bullet with several explosive heads, as Vladimir Putin described, in an offensive context represents a clear break with decades -long doctrine of the deterrent during the Cold War. Experts emphasize that ballistic rockets with several explosive heads, known as "multiple independent reentry vehicles" (Mirvs), have not been used against an enemy. According to Hans Kristensen, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, I know that this is the first time that a MIRV was used in battle ".

Mutual Assured Destruction: A dangerous balance

ballistic rockets formed the foundation of the nuclear deterrence and offered the principle of "mutual secure destruction" (MAD) in the nuclear age. The basic assumption is that even if some rockets survive a nuclear first strike, there is enough destruction in the arsenal of the opponent to destroy several cities of the attacker. The idea was developed that ballistic rockets should keep guards over a future in which nuclear weapons are never used again.

Mirvs: an incentive to the first blow?

Analysts, including Kristensen, argue that Mirved missiles can invite a first blow than to deter it. Mirvs's highly destructive capacity means that they are both potential first stroke weapons and goals for first strikes. Kristensen and his colleague Matt Korda from the Federation of American Scientists recognized in a study published in March that it was easier to destroy several explosive heads before they start, when they drop down at their goal at hyper -sound speed.

The risk of a nuclear conflict

A current publication by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a US non-profit science organization, describes a scenario in which “use or losing” dilemma is created. This scenario could offer an incentive to first strike in times of crisis. Otherwise, a first strike that destroys the Mirved rockets of a country, the ability of this country disproportionately affect the publication, according to the publication.