The so-called ‘nuclear briefcase’ that Russian President Vladimir Putin travels with was seen on camera on Wednesday (Oct 18) as the president was heading to a meeting following his discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Russian president can use the briefcase to order a nuclear strike. The nuclear briefcase is rarely shown in cinema.
As Putin headed to another conference after his discussion with Xi, he was surrounded by security officers and escorted by two Russian naval officers in uniform. These officers each carried a briefcase. The actual nuclear suitcase was one of these.
Russian navy commanders have historically carried briefcases. The “Cheget” is the name given to the briefcase. Mount Cheget in the Caucasus Mountains inspired the name.
“There are certain suitcases without which no trip of Putin’s is complete,” the Kremlin correspondents of state news agency RIA said in a post on Telegram under the footage.
In another tape, Putin comes out of a conference with navy officers in Beijing, again shot just a few steps away from Putin, who grins as he walks down some stairs.
The President of the United States possesses a similar device. It’s known as the “nuclear football.” The satchel includes the codes that the US president can use if he is not at the White House to authorize nuclear missiles.
Tensions between Russia and the United States have risen in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China is also looking to expand its nuclear arsenal. Relations between the United States and China are also strained.
The Russian parliament adopted the initial steps toward canceling ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on Tuesday. Its top legislator has even warned the US that Russia may exit the accord entirely.
What’s inside the nuclear briefcase?
The “Cheget” is essentially a secure communication technology that provides the Russian president with access to his military’s senior commanders and, through them, the rocket forces. using the highly classified “Kazbek” electronic command-and-control network.
Russia’s defense minister carries a suitcase like this. According to Reuters, the Russian chief of general staff may have also been issued a nuclear suitcase.
Footage released in 2019 by Russia’s Zvezda television channel revealed what appeared to be one of the briefcases with an assortment of buttons.
There are, according to Zvezda, there is a white ‘launch’ button and a red “cancel” button and the briefcase is activated by a special flashcard.