Vladimir Solovyov has once again sparked concern among the British population by publicly discussing a hypothetical situation where Russian President Vladimir Putin might initiate a nuclear conflict targeting the UK.
Known for his role as a propagandist and a prominent figure on state television, Solovyov openly expressed his apparent eagerness to devastate British cities. He was observed smiling and joking about the potential bombing of Oxford and Cambridge to eliminate the British elite.
In his recent remarks, Solovyov, who is handsomely compensated for promoting Kremlin viewpoints, suggested that if Ukraine were to receive Tomahawk long-range missiles, as hinted by US President Donald Trump, it could lead to a nuclear standoff reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Brashly contemplating the global reaction to such extreme actions, Solovyov stated, “If the United Kingdom is eliminated, I believe the entire world will applaud. They will see it as a positive development.” He even went as far as cruelly proposing that Putin could induce panic in London by suddenly recalling Russian diplomats, creating an illusion of an imminent strike.
While the possibility of such a catastrophic event is undesirable, a tool called Nuke Map by NuclearSecrecy.com offers a glimpse into the potential devastation caused by nuclear weapons. This tool, developed by science and nuclear weapons expert Alex Wellerstein, allows users to simulate the effects of an 800-kiloton nuclear explosion, a weapon reportedly in Russia’s possession.
The simulated impact of such an explosion on Cambridge, as joked about by Solovyov, would be catastrophic, with a nuclear fireball engulfing a radius of 2.97 km², affecting surrounding areas like Grantchester, Milton, Teversham, and the iconic campus of the University.
The Nuke Map explains that areas within the fireball would face complete vaporization, while the subsequent blast zones would experience severe damage, including building collapses and widespread fires. The tool outlines the potential outcomes in various zones, forecasting devastating consequences like third-degree burns and significant structural damage.
Considering safety measures, experts suggest seeking shelter in the center of a building or a basement to increase survival chances in the event of a nuclear blast. While underground locations like London’s tube network may offer some protection, concerns arise about the depth needed to withstand modern nuclear threats.
In case of a direct hit on major UK cities like London or Edinburgh, being outside the immediate blast radius is deemed the best strategy for survival. Understanding the reach of nuclear blasts involves considering factors such as radiation radius, fireball radius, air blast radius, and thermal radiation radius.
Although certain locations outside blast zones may offer relative safety, the possibility of radiation exposure from winds remains a concern. As a result, remote areas like Foula in the Shetland Isles could be considered one of the safest places in the UK during a nuclear crisis.