Fresh fears of a Russian nuclear strike on the UK have prompted the release of blast maps showing the devastation that would be caused to the country's 10 largest cities. The maps, produced by NuclearSecrecy.com, estimate the impact of an 800-kiloton Topol SS-25 warhead, a weapon currently in Russia's arsenal.
The release follows calls from General Sir Roly Walker, head of the army, who told Sky News that 'every' citizen will be 'asked to make sacrifices' and play their part in the defence of the country. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned that the UK faces an "inevitable" Russian attack over its support for Ukraine.
Nuke Map Tool Shows Damage Zones
The Nuke Map tool, set up by Alex Wellerstein, a science and nuclear weapons professor at the Stevens Institute of Technology, shows the extent of damage in four zones for each city. If the Topol SS-25 were dropped on Westminster in Central London, the damage would be "predictably catastrophic," according to the site.
For the impact area, shown in orange, the map states: "Maximum size of the nuclear fireball; relevance to damage on the ground depends on the height of detonation. If it touches the ground, the amount of radioactive fallout is significantly increased. Anything inside the fireball is effectively vapourised."
Blast Radius and Burn Zones
The next zone, the 'moderate blast damage radius', would collapse buildings and start fires. The map states: "At 5 psi overpressure, most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial [buildings] and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
The third zone, further from the point of impact, would fare little better. The map states: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The UK government, like every major Western government, has contingencies in place for dealing with nuclear strikes on major cities.
