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KerPop42 t1_j5qeh39 wrote

Reply to comment by silly_biomedic in Germany Agrees to Send Leopard 2A6s to Ukraine by For_All_Humanity

Eh, probably not. Put in can't unilaterally use the nukes, and he's losing popularity. Using nukes would paint a huge target on Russia's back, and over an offensive war that poses no existential threat to Russia.

The odds of an escalation of material support for Ukraine resulting in tactical nukes is pretty much nil.

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pragmatic_zealot t1_j5qfnaw wrote

>Putin can't unilaterally use the nukes

Are we sure about this? If there are others that need to authorize using nukes, I'm sure they're at least a little worried they might fall out of a building the day after they refuse.

I hope you're right, and I'd bet you are, but can't say I don't lose sleep over it.

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willstr1 t1_j5qgw24 wrote

Nukes aren't fully automated, it's still orders through a chain of command and I bet most of that chain isn't willing to end the world for Putin's fragile ego. And even that assumes the nukes and launch vehicles work. Equipment that is expensive to maintain and never expected to be used are a prime target for a kleptocracy

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Buzzkid t1_j5qvaxy wrote

Russia has an automatic nuclear launch system. It is called Dead Hand.

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me_suds t1_j5s6l3r wrote

Yes but it's also not for frist strik it's triggered by the dection of a nuclear strike on Russia

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