Is US Preparing for Nuclear ‘Armageddon’ With Russia Over Ukraine?

ANALYSIS – President Joe Biden just made his most strident warning to Russia over Vladimir Putin's threats to use nuclear weapons over Ukraine.

While Biden was criticized for making these serious claims at a fundraiser, possibly unscripted, the comments underscore the increasing danger of the Russian nuclear threat.

They also highlight the need for increased preparation and civil defense measures in the U.S. and NATO countries.

As AP reports:

Speaking at a Democratic fundraiser, Biden said Thursday night that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “a guy I know fairly well” and the Russian leader is “not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons.”

Biden added, “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.” He suggested the threat from Putin is real “because his military is — you might say — significantly underperforming.”

Biden added, in reference to Russian military doctrine that emphasizes the use of tactical nukes:

I don't think there is any such a thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.

I have written about Russia's nuclear doctrine and the dangers of its vast superiority over the U.S. and NATO in tactical nuclear capabilities here and here.

As per my most recent analysis, Putin appears to be signaling his intent and/or willingness to use nukes.

One signaling move was the deploying of the massive nuclear submarine, the Belgorod, armed with a Poseidon nuclear torpedo, from its Arctic base.

Additionally, CBS News reports, from an unverified video, that a Russian train was spotted transporting equipment from a Russian military unit that handles nuclear weapons.

But other than warning Russia of ‘catastrophic' consequences, what are we doing to prepare for the possibility of a ‘limited' nuclear attack on U.S. or NATO soil?

Well, apparently there is some minor movement in that regard.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) just purchased $290 million of anti-radiation medication.

According to a press release published on Tuesday, HHS's Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), confirmed the purchase of the drug Nplate, described as a medication “approved to treat blood cell injuries that accompany acute radiation syndrome in adult and pediatric patients (ARS).”

“ARS, also known as radiation sickness, occurs when a person's entire body is exposed to a high dose of penetrating radiation, reaching internal organs in a matter of seconds,” the release stated.

While HHS insisted the large purchase is “part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies,” the big drug buy was approved days before Biden warned of potential nuclear armageddon.

Meanwhile, some of America's biggest states have started warning residents to prepare for a nuclear emergency over Putin's ongoing atomic threats.

Unfortunately, the state government messages are lacking substance. Others worry they are a veiled attempt to control Americans.

As Newsmax reported:

Taking seriously Putin's threats to use “all the means at our disposal” amid Russia's continued war in Ukraine, New York and New Jersey have begun deploying their own public service announcements geared toward prepping Americans in the event of a nuclear attack on the homeland.

As part of September's “National Preparedness Month,” New Jersey public buses featured large transit ads on their sides asking “Do you know what to do in a radiation emergency?”

The ad offers citizens a three-step guide: “go inside, stay inside, and stay tuned for news updates.”

Similar PSA-style ads have been spotted in New Jersey shopping malls and even inside New York City subways.

However, this type of limited message is sorely lacking. As Newsmax explains:

Experts say the biggest issue with the message is that it lacks the lifesaving information pertinent for this type of catastrophic event.

“These ads are likely to cause panic, but lack the most basic information that could save millions of lives outside the zone of complete destruction,” said Dr. Jane Orient, president of Doctors for Disaster Preparedness.

Dr. Orient added that while general awareness about a potential nuclear emergency is good, the PSA lacks vital information and “seems designed to get people cowering inside indefinitely and depending on a totally unprepared government.”

As the danger of nuclear conflict rises over Ukraine, we must do much more to prepare our citizens for the possibility of an atomic bomb (or bombs) detonating on U.S. soil. ALD

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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