A sobering simulation has revealed the potential consequences if Russia and the United States were to engage in war, highlighting the devastating loss of life that could result.
Before his election as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump claimed he would resolve the conflict in Ukraine within his first 24 hours back in office. However, the situation has proven to be far more complex.
Almost four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in Europe shows no signs of ending, despite a recent visit to the Kremlin by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, for a five-hour meeting.
In response, Vladimir Putin has issued a warning that Russia is ‘prepared’ to engage in battle if a war emerges in Europe.
Amid the ongoing conflict, fears of a nuclear war, though still largely speculative, remain a significant concern for many.
Princeton University released a video six years ago illustrating the potential outcome if both Russia and the US deployed nuclear weapons.
The simulation outlines how Russia might initiate a nuclear warning shot in an attempt to halt a US-Nato advance. In retaliation, Nato would respond with a single ‘tactical nuclear air strike’.
This quickly escalates into a full-scale nuclear conflict in Europe, with Russia launching over 300 nuclear warheads using aircraft and short-range missiles to target Nato bases and advancing troops.
At this juncture, the death toll reaches a staggering 2.6 million, and as the conflict intensifies, the devastation envelops the entirety of Europe.
The simulation proceeds to describe how Nato would respond by launching 600 warheads from the US to target Russian nuclear forces, resulting in an additional 3.4 million casualties.
“Before losing its weapon systems, Russia launches on warning, responding with missiles launched from silos, road-mobile vehicles, and submarines,” the widely circulated video explains.
Eventually, both Russia and Nato would target each other’s 30 most populous cities, leading to a further 85.3 million deaths.
The scenario described as ‘The Countervalle Plan’ anticipates another 91 million casualties, as the video details: “Number of immediate casualties, including fatalities (34.1 million) and injuries (57.4 million), resulting from the series of nuclear exchanges. Deaths from nuclear fallout and other long-term effects would significantly increase this estimate.”
In summary, this simulation paints a grim picture of the potential consequences of nuclear war in Europe.
Let’s hope it never becomes a reality.