DISINFO: Russian tactical nuclear weapons use non-radioactive material

DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS

DISINFO: Russian tactical nuclear weapons use non-radioactive material

SUMMARY

Russian tactical nuclear weapons use depleted uranium which, while having a high capacity for destruction, cannot be considered for strategic use. On the contrary, strategic nuclear weapons use highly enriched uranium to deliver the destructive capacity.

Because the detonation of strategic nuclear weapons also create vast solid and gaseous radioactive fallout, which can endanger Russian territories, Russia is unlikely to use strategic nuclear weapons on the battlefield. Tactical nuclear weapons could be used more safely and effectively.

RESPONSE

Pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative on nuclear issues, well in line with previously deployed information manipulation tactic of nuclear fearmongering. See also here and here.

Both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons are made of radioactive material. The difference between strategic and tactical weapons lies in the size of the explosive yield and the range of its vector.

Depleted uranium is used in armour-piercing shells and bombs, to give them more kinetic, penetrating power, but these are conventional weapons and cannot be considered as tactical nuclear weapons.

The existence of any non-radioactive Russian tactical nuclear bombs has not been documented. In fact, a "non-radioactive nuclear weapon" is an oxymoron: any weapon using non-radioactive material for explosive capability cannot be nuclear.

NATO doesn’t threaten Russia in Eastern Europe, nor has it initiated a conflict with Russia, nor has it fought and failed. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, said in September 2022: "No, NATO is not at war with Russia. I have to be very clear about that. <...> If Russia would attack one of our allies, then it is absolutely clear, and we make that as clear as we can to Russia, that we would defend every inch of allied territory. Then Russia and NATO will be in a conflict. But until that moment, NATO is not at war with Russia."

Read also related cases: Russia fighting NATO in Ukraine, not Ukrainian army, Two Caesar howitzers were sold to the enemy and are now studied in Russia, The West is in decay, only Russian civilisation can save the world from collapse.

Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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