Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#1

Post by scared333 » Sat, Sep 10, 2022, 7:33 PM UTC

Russia is suffering a humiliating defeats in Ukraine not seen since WW2. Will their leadership resort to use of nuclear weapons?

We're moving to Berlin (from CA) next spring (my wife got an internal transfer there), but the way things are, I am a bit antsy.

Sorry about the throwaway account. My wives teammates nor our friends or neighbours here aren't aware of our plans yet.

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#2

Post by RegnisGnaw » Sat, Sep 10, 2022, 8:23 PM UTC

I'm thinking yes to battlefield nuclear weapons. Nothing bigger then that.

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#3

Post by Trouble_007 » Sat, Sep 10, 2022, 8:34 PM UTC

"IF" which I doubt.

Nuclear Weapon Yield : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon_yield

Variable Yield, a.k.a. Dial-a-Yield, is an option available on most modern nuclear weapons : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_yield

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#4

Post by aintmeit » Sat, Sep 10, 2022, 9:19 PM UTC

Even without the threat of nuclear weapons, a country can fall apart all on its own through self-sabotage. I think people should be far more scared of self-inflicted harm. It's also the one risk that can be truly mitigated simply by making sound choices. However, no one likes to think that they are the problem, so they pin their hopes and fears on external causes, or as a shrink would call it, an external locus of control. In the meantime, just laugh away the pain and muffle screams of anguish because we're way past the point of no return.

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#5

Post by epirogov » Sat, Sep 10, 2022, 11:54 PM UTC

these are such minor things, where exactly to catch this

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#6

Post by vbezhenar » Sun, Sep 11, 2022, 1:50 AM UTC

If things will proceed as they are, they'll wipe civilization. Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist. And if the alternative is to cease to exist, they'll kill everything in the Earth as well. Putin said recently: "Why do we need a world, if there's no Russia in this world".

I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but that would be the best outcome in current circumstances. Alternative is far worse.

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#7

Post by shrimp_emoji » Sun, Sep 11, 2022, 2:11 AM UTC

No?

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#8

Post by sidibe » Sun, Sep 11, 2022, 10:26 AM UTC

vbezhenar wrote: post #6

If things will proceed as they are, they'll wipe civilization. Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist. And if the alternative is to cease to exist, they'll kill everything in the Earth as well. Putin said recently: "Why do we need a world, if there's no Russia in this world". I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but that would be the best outcome in current circumstance…

Russia can afford to lose. Putin can't afford to lose, but that's fine because as Ukraine momentum continues he will be removed or forced to resign and whoever follows can end the conflict and blame everything on him.

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#9

Post by type0 » Sun, Sep 11, 2022, 1:04 PM UTC

vbezhenar wrote: post #6

If things will proceed as they are, they'll wipe civilization. Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist. And if the alternative is to cease to exist, they'll kill everything in the Earth as well. Putin said recently: "Why do we need a world, if there's no Russia in this world". I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but that would be the best outcome in current circumstance…

> I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but...

I really hope you will move to Russia then, if you already don't live there

Re: Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

#10

Post by daemoens » Sun, Sep 11, 2022, 4:50 PM UTC

RegnisGnaw wrote: post #2

I'm thinking yes to battlefield nuclear weapons. Nothing bigger then that.

Battlefield nukes have almost no benefits with an incredible number of downsides. Russia would become a pariah to the few allies they have left, and the fallout would hurt the territory they want to capture.