The former deputy commander of the Naval Force, Artur Mecollari, says that however worrying, the strategic nuclear weapons claimed by Russia could reach US territory.

During his appearance on Euronews Albania’s ‘NOW’ with Erla Mehilli, Mecollari said that the difference lies in the time available to the other side to counter-attack and the platform from which the nuclear attacks are carried out.

“Strategic weapons can hit the US. From a span-of-range point of view; then there is the issue of the time available to the other side to counter the attack. In submarine-launched weapons, the time available to react is shorter. These weapons go up to 10,000 kilometers, but it depends on the reaction time available to destroy them in the air”, said the senior military officer.

According to him, the use of nuclear weapons is difficult because today’s public opinion is not that of 1945, but it is much more sensitive, including the Russian one.

“Whoever fires the nuclear weapon first will face serious consequences from public opinion. I believe that all this is, is a form of discouraging public opinion and public morale.  Actions want to give the idea that the risk is actually real. The object of this nuclear rhetoric is precisely the public opinion”, said Mecollari.