As the U.S. continues to aid Ukraine in its fight against a Russian Federation invasion, an analysis of satellite images has shown that three powerful nations – the U.S., Russia and China – have all been increasing nuclear activity.
According to the CNN analysis, each of the three countries “have all built new facilities and dug new tunnels at their nuclear test sites in recent years.”
Although CNN said there is no evidence to suggest that any of the countries are preparing for an imminent nuclear test, experts cited by the outlet said there are hints that they could happen.
“It’s very clear that all three countries, Russia, China and the United States have invested a great deal of time, effort and money in not only modernizing their nuclear arsenals, but also in preparing the types of activities that would be required for a test,” said Retired US Air Force Col.
Cedric Leighton.
CNN noted that tensions between the three nations are higher than they have been in decades. While the U.S. has provided aid to Ukraine (Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy visited the White House this week), some experts have been concerned that China is interested in supporting Russia.
Concerns about China increased early this year, when U.S. officials shot down a Chinese spy balloon.
“China on Tuesday urged increased cross-border connectivity with Russia and deeper mutual trade and investment cooperation, as both allies vowed ever closer economic ties despite disapproval from the West after Russian forces invaded Ukraine last year,” Reuters reported this week.
National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said in May there was no indication that China would provide lethal aid to Russia. Information regarding statements Chinese officials have made since the invasion of Ukraine began last February has been compiled by the U.S. Government here.
“I want to see China succeed economically,” President Joe Biden said this month. “But I want to see them succeed by the rules.”
In January, the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the hands of the Doomsday Clock forward. It said this move was mostly due to the war in Ukraine. Audacy recently reported that Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, believes the invasion has kicked off World War III.
Per the Federation of American Scientists, the U.S. and Russia have the most nuclear warheads in the world at 5,244 and 5,889 respectively. China is in a distant third with 410.
“Despite progress in reducing nuclear weapon arsenals since the Cold War, the world’s combined inventory of nuclear warheads remains at a very high level: nine countries possessed roughly 12,500 warheads as of early-2023,” said the federation.
A Rutgers University analysis from last August found that even the smallest nuclear scenario (conflict between India and Pakistan) would reduce worldwide caloric production by 7%.