Before 1 September 2025, will Russia or Belarus detonate a nuclear device outside of Russian and Belarusian territory or airspace?
Closing Sep 01, 2025 07:01AM UTC
As Ukraine continues to fight against Russia's invasion of their country and continues to attack Russian territory, concerns persist that Russia could resort to using nuclear weapons (AP, US News & World Report). Russian and Belarusian territory and airspace include that within the boundaries generally recognized by the international community, including territorial waters. For the purposes of this question, a "nuclear device" is one that is designed to produce a nuclear explosion utilizing the fission and/or fusion of nuclear fuel (e.g., Uranium-235, lithium deuteride). A radiological device (aka "dirty bomb") would not count (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). A device that produces an explosive detonation for a sub-critical test is not considered a "nuclear device" that is designed to produce a nuclear explosion.
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