Can history teach us what happens next? Drones were downed over Russia's capital city Moscow. Now Russia says that it could use nuclear weapons in the future.
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Russia makes threats after Moscow hit
Can history teach us what happens next? Drones were downed over Russia's capital city Moscow. Now Russia says that it could use nuclear weapons in the future.
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What's happening?
On Sunday morning, something unusual happened in RussiaThe largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.'s capital city, Moscow. Drones appeared above the city. They were taken out of the sky by Russia's army.
Russia blames UkraineA country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022. for the attack. There has now been a war in Ukraine for nearly a year and a half, after Russia invaded the country.
Now, one top Russian politicianA person who works in politics. and former presidentIn some countries, the leader is called the president., Dmitry Medvedev, says that if Ukraine managed to take over part of Russia, Russia would be "forced" to use nuclear weaponsA bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion. .
This is a very serious claim. Nuclear weapons have only ever been used once, 78 years ago, by the USA. They killed lots of people in Japan.
Today, some countries have very powerful nuclear weapons.
Find out more
But it is not the first time that leaders have made threats to use nuclear weapons. In 1961, one American president said that they could use smaller nuclear weapons to help win a war. But it did not happen.
This seems to be the same threat Russia is making.
Some worry that if Russia dropped a nuclear bomb on Ukraine, other countries might get involved. The USA might fear it was next, and think about using its own weapons.
But others say that leaders will think very carefully before they use nuclear weapons. None of them want to put their own country at riskThe chance or possibility of something bad happening. .
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Can history teach us what happens next?
Yes! Countries have been fighting for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. And nuclear weapons have been around for decadesThis year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years.. We have seen this happen before.
No! No war is exactly like another war. And nobody knows exactly what Russia's leader, Vladimir PutinRussia's ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West., is thinking. History is not about predicting the future.
Keywords
Russia - The largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Politician - A person who works in politics.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Nuclear weapons - A bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion.
Risk - The chance or possibility of something bad happening.
Decades - This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years.
Vladimir Putin - Russia's ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West.
Russia makes threats after Moscow hit
Bombastic: The nuclear threats come after Ukraine launched drones into the heart of Moscow. Glossary
Russia - The largest country in the world by area. It has a population of 144 million people.
Ukraine - A country in Eastern Europe. It was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Politician - A person who works in politics.
President - In some countries, the leader is called the president.
Nuclear weapons - A bomb or other weapon that uses nuclear energy to cause a big explosion.
Risk - The chance or possibility of something bad happening.
Decades - This year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee, meaning that she will have reigned for 70 years.
Vladimir Putin - Russia’s ruler since 2000. He is a strong opponent of the West.