Concern has grown that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be mounting a nuclear attack on the world after a source revealed that the leader was set to hold a nuclear evacuation drill.
An inside source believed to be linked to ex-Kremlin intelligence and have close connections to Putin's inner circle has previously claimed Putin is suffering from multiple medical conditions and has said that the Russian death toll is significantly higher than reported.
In a recent post, the Telegram channel General SVR said Russian senior political figures "were warned on behalf of the president that, perhaps in the near future, they will participate in practising evacuation in case of a nuclear war.
"All who were contacted with this warning were seriously surprised and concerned about this initiative by the president. But all, without exception, confirmed their readiness to participate."
The claim has sparked fear that Putin could be planning to launch a nuclear attack due to his invasion of Ukraine not going to plan.
But what would happen if a nuclear bomb hit Ireland?
A frightening interactive map shows how much of Ireland would be blown up if a nuclear bomb were to hit.
Users of the map can see how a potential nuke could impact the country, even showing what would happen if the bomb struck their hometown and the number of fatalities and injuries that could arise.
The website NUKKMAP was created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of nuclear weapons, to "help people visualize nuclear weapons and get a sense of the scale of the bombs."
He explained: "We live in a world where nuclear weapons issues are on the front pages of our newspapers on a regular basis, yet most people still have a very bad sense of what an exploding nuclear weapon can actually do.
"Some people think they destroy everything in the world all that once, some people think they are not very different from conventional bombs. The reality is somewhere in between: nuclear weapons can cause immense destruction and huge losses of life, but the effects are still comprehendible on a human scale."
The map allows you to choose from a wide range of nuclear weapons already produced, tested or used.
We used the Topol (SS-25), which is currently in Russia's arsenal, to see what would happen if it hit various locations around Ireland.
The warhead is 800 kiloton and can deliver a payload of 1,000 kg to a range of 11,000 km.
Dublin
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Dublin's city centre, it would kill an estimated 337,700 people and injure a further 482,250, according to the NUKKMAP.
People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including some living in neighbouring counties Meath, Kildare and Wicklow.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.88 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains that anything located inside the fireball would be effectively vaporized.
Those living within 6.53km of the bomb would see 'moderate damage'. These areas include Dundrum, Phoenix Park and Ballymun. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - like Blanchardstown, Dublin Airport and Tallaght - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third-degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This includes the likes of Lucan and Malahide, as well as parts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. The map explains: "At around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
Cork
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Cork city centre, it would kill an estimated 108,990 people and injure a further 96,120, according to the NUKKMAP.
People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, meaning it would reach as far as Crosshaven, Watergrasshill and Cobh.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.88 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized.
Those living within 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Cork Airport and Glanmire - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Passage West, Carrigaline, Blarney and Ballincollig - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
Galway
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Galway city centre, it is estimated that it would kill 47,010 people and injure 37,610 more, according to the NUKKMAP.
People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, including those living near the border in Clare.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.88 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized.
Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - which includes Salthill and GMIT - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - such as Claregalway and Oranmore - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This goes almost as far as Athenry. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
Belfast
If this nuclear bomb were to land in Belfast city centre, it would kill an estimated 182,440 people and injure a further 231,100, according to the NUKKMAP.
People within an 18.4km radius would be impacted, with it reaching as far as Bangor, Carrickfergus and Lisburn.
The people most impacted would be those living within 0.88 km of the blast, who would be in the 'fireball radius'. The map explains anything inside the fireball is effectively vaporized.
Those living between 6.53km of the bomb - such as Balmoral, the Upper Falls and Springfield - would see 'moderate damage'. This is described as: "Most residential buildings collapse, injuries are universal, fatalities are widespread. The chances of a fire starting in commercial and residential damage are high, and buildings so damaged are at high risk of spreading fire."
Anyone within 11.1km of the explosion - including Holywood, Dundonald and Carryduff - would be in the 'thermal radiation radius'. This would see: "Third degree burns extend throughout the layers of skin, and are often painless because they destroy the pain nerves. They can cause severe scarring or disablement, and can require amputation."
The last areas that would be damaged are within 18.4km of the blast and would see 'light damage'. This includes Carrickfergus, Bangor and Hillsborough. The map explains: "At a around 1 psi overpressure, glass windows can be expected to break. This can cause many injuries in a surrounding population who comes to a window after seeing the flash of a nuclear explosion (which travels faster than the pressure wave). Often used as a benchmark for light damage in cities."
You can check out the map for yourself here.
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