“Nuclear weapons are weapons of great power that destroy all living beings around”

– what Kyivans think about nuclear weapons

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the russians have used methods of nuclear terrorism, threatening to use nuclear weapons and blackmailing the international community.

To keep the public informed, at the end of September 2022, the Editorial Board of the Uatom.org website conducted a survey among Kyiv residents regarding their knowledge of nuclear weapons and their types, as well as their opinions on the return of nuclear status to Ukraine and its nuclear potential.

Natalya, 44 years old, inspector

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?

Yes, since physics lessons, where we learned what nuclear weapons and explosions are. If putin drops a nuclear bomb on Kyiv, nothing will be left of the city, like Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and people will die from chemical burns.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?

Probably, tactical nuclear weapons hit the target more accurately, and strategic nuclear weapons are more extensive. For example, strategic nuclear weapons were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The launch, apparently, takes place in the format of a “red button” according to the principle of a chain reaction, which does not depend on one person.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why?

No. When in power, politicians are constantly changing and no one knows what will happen in the future. If, God forbid, some putin or hitler comes to power, then what? Personally, I believe that it is necessary to eliminate nuclear weapons all over the world.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

I think, no.

Andriy, 52 years old, entrepreneur

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons? 

Nuclear weapons differ from conventional weapons primarily in power and environmental impact.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?

The difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons is the power and delivery methods. Tactical nuclear weapons are mostly in the form of projectiles, while strategic nuclear weapons are cruise missiles, aircraft, submarines, etc.

As for launching nuclear weapons, tactical weapons can be launched from a short distance, and strategic weapons can be launched from a greater distance, and then the radius of impact will be huge.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I think, no. Today, Ukraine will not be able to financially maintain nuclear weapons. It is extremely technologically complex and also very expensive.

Elisey, 43 years old, railway worker

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?  

Of course, I know what nuclear weapons are. It differs from other types in power.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?

Tactical and strategic nuclear weapons differ in the scale of damage, as well as in their delivery methods.

The launching methods are also different, because there are different launchers. Tactical nuclear weapons can be launched from mobile installations, and strategic nuclear weapons can be launched from both mobile and stationary ones.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I believe that this is unlikely, because we have neither technical nor organizational capabilities. It is possible to deploy foreign nuclear weapons on the Ukrainian territory, but I am definitely against this.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

No. No one will allocate money to Ukraine to maintain nuclear weapons. They can provide weapons that will implement the interests of foreign states, or create foreign military bases on the territory of Ukraine.

Lyudmila, 53 years old, gardener

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how it differs from other weapons?  

Yes, I know. In case of a nuclear explosion, there will be nothing left within 300 kilometers. If a person is in the epicenter, he will turn into a wet spot, if further, the spine and ribs will be completely broken. If a person is 200 kilometers from the epicenter, he will have terrible burns and live another three months in extreme torment. Therefore, it is a very scary weapon.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?

The difference between strategic and tactical nuclear weapons is the scale of damage. If it is used strategically, the whole city can be destroyed, if it is used tactically, then a separate section of the front. But how nuclear weapons are launched, I do not know. What I know is that after the explosion, a huge nuclear mushroom is formed.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I think I should. I understand that being a nuclear state is dangerous, but having inadequate neighbors who possess nuclear weapons is even more dangerous. A country without weapons is a weak country. In general, I am very sorry that some time ago we gave away nuclear weapons.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

I doubt whether Ukraine has financial resources for that at present.

Vitaliy, 42 years old, construction worker

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?

Yes, I know, there are strategic and tactical nuclear weapon.

What do you think is the difference between them? Do you know how nuclear weapons are launched?  

Tactical weapons are aimed at a specific point, and strategic can destroy the entire city.

Launching nuclear weapons in each state is different. If we are talking about the russian federation, then most likely this is a tried-and-tested scheme, according to which the president gives the command, and the military execute it.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I think we need “collective security”. Countries that are stronger than us in terms of weapons should follow the events that are currently taking place in Ukraine and contribute to the end of the war. “Collective security” could be ensured by: Great Britain, Germany, Poland and other countries of central Europe.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

In my opinion, it is already too late to talk about restoring Ukraine’s nuclear status.

Anna, 39 years old, works in trade

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how it differs from other weapons?  

Nuclear weapons cause considerable damage both to the environment and to living beings.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?  

Tactical weapons have a larger radius of damage, strategic weapons a smaller one. I don’t know how nuclear weapons are launched.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I believe that Ukraine needs nuclear weapons, because it is a means of influencing other countries.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

Ukraine has the potential to maintain nuclear weapons, and funding can be obtained from the taxes of ordinary citizens.

Pavlo, 32 years old, works in the IT field

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?  

Nuclear weapons are characterized by radioactive radiation, as well as an electromagnetic impulse. If the explosion occurs in the atmosphere or the bomb is dropped on the ground, the scale of damage will be will be completely different. The area affected will vary. How will it affect a person? I think differently. Someone during the bombing of Hiroshima was in the basement 200 meters from the explosion and survived. Who will be lucky!

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?  

The difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons is in the power of the strike.

Launching probably takes place from a mine. Therefore, I think that the russian federation will hide the missiles in the mines until the last moment, so that no one sees launching, because, having identified them, they can be eliminated or, in simple words, “hit”.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I am not an expert, but I think that Ukraine needs nuclear weapons primarily as a deterrent factor.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

Currently, I think there is no money, but it can be found.

Tetiana, 40 years old, entrepreneur

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?  

Nuclear weapons are weapons of great power that destroys everything around. In the tactical one, as far as I know, the damage zone is 15 km, but in the strategic one it is much more, so the consequences can be catastrophic.

Do you know how nuclear weapons are launched?  

I do not have exact information how nuclear weapons are launched.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I think that Ukraine gave up nuclear weapons in vain some time ago. If we were to remain a nuclear state for the time being, hardly any country would dare to attack us.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

I think Ukraine has both.

Oleksandr, 44 years old, works in the construction field

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how it differs from other weapons?  

Compared to conventional weapons, nuclear weapons have a larger damage zone. After the explosion, a powerful shock wave is formed, radiation is emitted.

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?  

I don’t know the difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. Launching, I think, takes place from the launchers.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

I believe Ukraine should become a nuclear state, because it is necessary for our defense.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

I think it has, and given recent events, Ukrainians can raise funds for anything on their own.

Oleksandr, 63 years old, retired, ChNPP accident liquidator

Do you know what nuclear weapons are, and how they differ from other weapons?  

Nuclear weapons are a terrible thing… Nothing else can be added…

Do you know that there are tactical and strategic nuclear weapons? What do you think is the difference between them? How nuclear weapons are launched?  

The difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons is in the area of impact. For tactical, it will be approximately 15 kilometers, and for strategic – much more. As an example, I can give Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on which bombs of 10 kilotons were dropped, and now their power reaches up to 50 megatons. So what are we talking about here?! In this way, half the world can be destroyed.

Launching a nuclear weapon is a technologically complex process that is almost impossible to describe in a few words.

In your opinion, should Ukraine become a nuclear state again? Does Ukraine need nuclear weapons? Why? 

Ukraine does not need nuclear weapons. No one needs them at all. Nuclear weapons only contribute to the endless pursuit of arms. Do you think that if we had nuclear weapons, the situation would have changed today? I do not think so. After all, Uncle Vova is actually not afraid of anything. If something hits his head, he will do it.

Does Ukraine have the potential and funding to maintain nuclear weapons?

My opinion is no.

Editorial Board of Uatom.org