Can Russian nuclear missiles reach the UK – and what weapons do they have?

dailystar.co.uk:

another World War. In a move branded an “act of war,” the Russian invasion of Ukraine began earlier this week, with around 10,0000 troops taking over Donetsk and Luhansk, two Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine.With increasing worries over what could be the beginning of the bloodiest conflict in Europe since WW2, even people outside the line of fire have begun to consider how the war might affect them – with the use of nuclear weapons always remaining a possibility.Here’s what you need to know about Russian nukes and if they can actually reach the UK when launched.

Yes, Russian nuclear weapons - which can be launched from the sea, land or air - do have the range to hit the UK, with Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) being able to travel thousands of miles.Data produced by the Arms Control Association shows both Russia and the US have thousands of nuclear weapons, with the UK, France and China all also numbering in the hundreds.Though Russia's stockpile of nuclear weapons are much lower than it was during the Cold War peak, it still hold the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world.Currently, Russia has about 4,447 warheads, of which 1,588 are deployed on ballistic missiles and heavy bomber bases.

It holds another 977 strategic warheads and 1,912 nonstrategic warheads in reserve, according to the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.The nuclear deterrent is in place to protect the UK and its NATO allies.