FenTiger

Following this morning's reporting of the Crimea bridge explosion it's crossed my mind how will Putin respond. He's made threats to use nuclear weapons. Will Putin decide to seize all of Ukraine right up to the Hungarian border? How's Hungary going to respond? Definitely they don't want the Russians back!

scrubbedexpat142

Putin would like to seize Ukraine but he doesn't have the capability, using conventional means. If he goes (tactical) nuclear, what will be the nature & extent of a western response?
If he tried (& was able) to push on beyond Ukraine then NATO will come into play, in a big way.

FenTiger

I read an article this morning which stated that in the event of a nuclear war Argentina, Australia, Easter Island and Iceland would be the safest places. Also if Putin did press the button for a nuclear weapon it would be over an unpopulated area or body of water. Fired as a warning the next target would be elsewhere!
If anywhere I feel safer here than in UK.

scrubbedexpat142

Not sure about Iceland (NATO member)!

FenTiger

I meant from effects of a nuclear weapon in Europe. If they a NATO member could be a target.

scrubbedexpat142

All a question of yield (from the weapon(s)).

FenTiger

Worse case scenario is thousands of civilians getting killed.

Sachina

And thousands more suffering from radiation poisoning as happened with Chernobyl.

Two articles well worth reading, The first from Meduzza a newspaper in exile now working out of Latvia and the other from the Atlantic Council.

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/09...ose-escalation

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blog...tv8DY_PPQU6UUI

FenTiger

Second article very interesting. I got the feeling Russia will be making use of their "novichok" agents. Probably use them to sabotage oil and gas pipelines.

Sachina

The agents used for the Novochick attacks wouldn't have the capabilities or knowledge to sabotage the oil and gas pipelines. You need highly trained naval divers and explosive experts which the thugs that went around sticking needles into unsupecting people certainly aren't.

https://sciencenorway.no/conflict-mi...botage/2086483

scrubbedexpat142

Very true, even the much vaunted Spetnaz haven't performed too well.

Also, spare a thought (in the case of radiation) for the farmers (particularly the livestock farmers) who could have an additional worry.
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FenTiger

That would completely destroy Ukraine's agriculture. Domino affect ..... Africa and other countries dependent on Ukraine grain.

scrubbedexpat142

Not just Ukraine's agriculture - but far afield as well. I don't recall the detail but I do remember suggestions of radiation affecting sheep in the UK after Chernobyl.

When I posted I was thinking more of farmers here, & elsewhere in Europe.

xavierx

Exactly, Orban is not playing silly games with Russia, whereas the UK government (in particular Boris Johnson) was childishly antagonising Putin to score virtue signalling points.

America is itching to get involved and as a NATO country Hungary would have full and fast protection from any invasion by the US

Sachina

Forgive me for being thick but what makes you think that Hungary is going to be invaded by the US?