Daily Express US, by Charlie Bradley and Callum Hoare: Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the West threatens nuclear war if the alliance sends troops to Ukraine.
During his State of the Union address on Thursday, Putin claimed NATO and the US are preparing to “strike Russian territory”.
He added: “They must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don’t they get that?”
This isn’t the first time Putin has threatened nuclear war with the West in recent years as Moscow and Washington continue to clash over the war in Ukraine.
Putin also claimed that his new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is ready for the Russian military to use.
Also known as the Satan-II, it measures 116 feet in length, weighs 220 tons, and reportedly has a range of a range of 6,200 to 11,180 miles.
With Putin’s saber-rattling reaching new levels, the map below shows the 14 locations in the US that Russia would likely target in a nuclear war.
Other maps show Putin preparing for ‘large-scale’ conflict with NATO and all the other places at risks from wildfires as blazes rip through Texas.
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is perhaps the most obvious target. Located in Arlington, Virginia, it is the headquarters for the US Department of Defense.
Naval Station Norfolk
The US and the world’s largest Navy base, located in Norfolk, Virginia. It has the highest concentration of US Navy forces. Around 100,000 air operations are conducted here yearly, equivalent to almost 300 a day.
Comfort Suites Kings Bay Naval Base Area
Another clear target as it is the base of the United States Navy, located in Camden County, Georgia.
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale is a United States Air Force Base in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. The base is home to the US’ 2nd Bomb Wing.
Whiteman Air Force Base
Located near Knob Noster, Missouri, the base is home to the US’ B-2 Spirit bomber – a heavy strategic bomber plane.
United States Strategic Command
Another potential key target for the Russians. It is responsible for the US’ nuclear deterrence and cyber defense among other key roles.
VLF Array Lualualei
A facility in Lualualei, Hawaii, that communicates military orders to submarines underwater.
Kirtland Air Force Base
Home to the Air Force Materiel Command’s Nuclear Weapons Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
21st Force Support Squadron
This is the US’ Space Force unit based at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.
Warren Air Force Base
An Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and one of three strategic-missile bases.
Minot Air Force Base
Based in Minot, North Dakota, it is home to the US’ 5th Bomb Wing. The force is used to maintain and operate B-52H bombers.
Hill Air Force Base
Home of the Air Force Materiel Command, housing a variety of missiles, aircraft, and other military technology. Located in Davis County, Utah
Malmstrom Air Force Base
Located in Cascade County, Montana, and home of the 341st Missile Wing – an intercontinental missile unit.
Naval Radio Station Jim Creek
Primarily responsible for one-way communications to submarines, based near Oso, Washington.
While the Kremlin has only ever made vague threats of nuclear war, Russian State TV once listed potential targets in the US.
In 2019, host Dmitry Kiselyov listed some of the targets in the list above, while also adding two bases that have been closed – Fort Ritchie, a military training center in Maryland closed in 1998, McClellan, a US Air Force base in California closed in 2001.
He also mentioned Camp David, a country retreat for the US president in Frederick County, Maryland.
NATO General Secretary, Jens Stoltenberg, warned Putin last year that a nuclear war “can never be won.”
He said: “Russia must know that a nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought.”
Prophetic Link:
“But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:9, 25, 26.