The Tampa Bay Times: What are ‘tactical’ nuclear weapons...?
Scholars say if Russia used tactical nuclear weapons it would be for shock value
Any use of a nuclear weapon by Russia would break the 77-year “taboo” against using nuclear weapons, says an article on Russia’s targeted nuclear arsenal, published in the Tampa Bay Times
It’s estimated Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear bombs.
“Just because these nuclear weapons are considered small doesn’t mean their impacts would be minor,” UC political scientist Brendan Green told the Times.
In the Russian nuclear arsenal, he said, most nuclear weapons that would be considered “tactical” would be “as large or larger than the bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki” to end World War II, said Green, an associate professor in UC's School of Public and International Affairs.
If used, the country would like be alienated by the world for a lengthy period.
Featured image at top of radiation symbol courtesy of Unsplash.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.