A doomsday map has identified seven US targets that Vladimir Putin would try to strike with a nuclear bomb, raising concerns that World War III may be imminent.
With Iran and Israel exchanging missile attacks and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, tensions are rising globally.
Since the start of the conflict, the US has been supplying aid, raising concerns that Russia would attack the US.
When then-President Joe Biden ordered the action, Russia reacted angrily.
The Kremlin wasted no time slamming the US’s involvement. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the decision “reckless, dangerous, aimed at a qualitative change, a qualitative increase in the level of involvement of the United States in this conflict.”
He reaffirmed President Vladimir Putin’s earlier cautions that such backing signifies “direct involvement” of NATO and the United States in the conflict.
Peskov added that “the outgoing administration in Washington intends to take steps to continue adding fuel to the fire and continue to provoke tension around this conflict.”
The two biggest nuclear-armed nations in the world have seen a sharp decline in their diplomatic ties; some believe a new Cold War may be on the horizon.
As U.S. involvement in Ukraine deepens, ripple effects are being felt in other hot zones. Iran’s United Nations mission recently blasted American tactics, stating: “Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance,” per ABC News.
Following Israel’s attacks on Iranian missile installations, tensions between Iran and Israel have further fuelled the fire.
Iran allegedly fired hypersonic missiles in retaliation, although there were no reports of significant damage.
Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, expressed global concern, per Reuters: “Nuclear facilities are being struck… Where is the [concern from the] entire world community? Where are all the environmentalists?”
According to Zakharova, the world is on the verge of “a nuclear disaster.”
In a now-deleted Russian state TV broadcast reported by Metro, several American locations were listed as potential nuclear targets if a full-scale war were to break out:
- The Pentagon, Virginia: As the hub of U.S. military operations, its destruction would severely disrupt American defense protocols.
- Camp David, Maryland: A symbolic retreat for U.S. presidents and key decision-making site, a hit here would send a powerful message.
- Jim Creek Naval Radio Station, Washington State: A critical communications facility for Pacific-based submarines, including those carrying nuclear weapons.
- Fort Ritchie, Maryland: Though decommissioned in 1998, it’s near the Raven Rock Mountain Complex (“Site R”), a known emergency bunker for U.S. military leadership.
- McClellan Air Force Base, California: Allegedly still of interest to Russian intelligence despite being closed in 2001. Possibly a decoy or an outdated target.
- Kirtland AFB, New Mexico: Home to US nuclear stockpiles
- Pantex plant, Texas: Also holds nuclear weapons.
Russia has refrained from directly intervening militarily in the Middle East crisis, despite its harsh rhetoric. This is a planned approach, according to analysts, as Russia is already overburdened with its operations in Ukraine and could prefer to act as a diplomatic mediator.
Nonetheless, Moscow’s readiness to support Iran and its condemnation of Israel and the United States indicate that the boundaries of international loyalty are growing more distinct, and maybe more perilous.
