Test Held To Enhance US Nuclear Explosion Detection

(USNewsBreak.com) – Tensions between Russia and the US are at an all-time high. The two nations have not seen eye-to-eye since Russia invaded Ukraine with the intention of taking over its territory. In turn, the US has provided billions in aid to the war-torn country in hopes of helping it fend off its aggressor. Since then, Russia has insinuated it wouldn’t hesitate to resort to using nuclear weapons. The nation even revoked a ban on atomic weapons testing outlined in the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), a measure that’s fully supported by its Federal Council. This past week, it was announced that the US tested a chemical explosion as part of a quest to enhance its detection of nuclear explosions.

The US conducted the test on Wednesday, October 18, in Nevada. It involved radioisotopes and chemicals designed to help detect atomic blasts that occur in other countries. Corey Hinderstein, who serves as the Deputy Administer for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, said in a statement that the motive is to advance the nation’s “efforts to develop new technology in support of US nuclear nonproliferation goals.” In short, it will make it easier for the United States to detect whether another country has carried out underground nuclear testing.

This came just hours after Russia announced its intention to reverse course on the CTBT, which it originally ratified in 1996. Some experts speculate that Moscow will resume testing in an effort to discourage the US from supporting Ukraine, though President Vladimir Putin remains vague on the matter. His press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, said Russia is currently monitoring the US’ actions and said the Federation Council called for “an international legal assessment,” per Fox News.

Notably, the United States, along with North Korea, Iran, Israel, Egypt, China, Pakistan, and India, have not yet ratified the CTBT. However, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said the country will not carry out any nuclear testing unless Washington makes the first move.