Could Russian Generals Disobey an Order to Use Nukes?

[sun rise]

No mean WW2 end officially by 8 May.

That was the war in Europe not the end of WWII. WWII did not end until Japan surrendered in September.

 

[sun rise]

People always find a way to justify what they do. There is always a "very good reason", something that makes evil acceptable. I'm sure Putin also has a good reason to do what he's doing, or so he believes.

So? That was not the point which was to refute the earlier claim.

As far as we knew, Japan had said they'd never surrender but keep fighting causing millions to die in a land invasion. As you taking the side of the country that started the war with the US and wanting them to win? Or do you assume they'd be all nicey-nicey and just stop fighting?

 

[Vee]

So? That was not the point which was to refute the earlier claim.

As far as we knew, Japan had said they'd never surrender but keep fighting causing millions to die in a land invasion. As you taking the side of the country that started the war with the US and wanting them to win? Or do you assume they'd be all nicey-nicey and just stop fighting?

I don't take sides. Simply stated a fact.

 

[Wandering Monk]

No mean WW2 end officially by 8 May.

In EUROPE. Germany surrendered on 8 May. Japan did not surrender until September 1945.

 

[TagliatelliMonster]

Let's say Putin became unhinged and suicidal enough to use nukes as one last middle finger to his enemies. Could Russian generals refuse to comply with his order to launch nukes and instead perhaps depose or even execute him? I really hope they wouldn't simply obey such an insane order, but I don't know.

Would the chain of command really override generals' desire to live and not start a nuclear war?

In theory: off course.

There is no "one-button" system in place that Putin can press and then the nukes go flying. That's not how it works. There's plenty of links and people between Putin ordering a strike, and an operator actually putting in the coordinates of the ICBM followed by the launch sequence (also not a single button, I'ld imagine).

While there certainly are procedures in place to minimize the time between order and execution, there would be plenty of people involved, each with a job to do. If those people, or some of them, don't comply, there is no launch.

While it certainly has been some time since such a threat was big enough for us to even discuss this, I'm not too worried to be honest.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

by any means, eg, artillery, missile, plane.

I think I even heard something about 'nuclear landmines.' I didn't look up anything on it though

 

[Revoltingest]

I think I even heard something about 'nuclear landmines.' I didn't look up anything on it though

Never heard of those.
Landmines target single entities, eg, tank, soldier.
Nuclear weapons would be overkill. They're also
more effective when detonated above ground.