34 million dead in the early morning hours alone in the event of a nuclear conflict. Although limited to the use of “tactical” nuclear weapons, the consequences would be catastrophic. Russian bombs could hit targets in Italy “Payers” from a military point of view, such as air and naval bases and NATO commands. Corresponding Iriad – Disarmament Archive, The first to be targeted would be the Ghedi (Brescia) and Aviano (Pordenone) NATO bases, which together house about 40 nuclear warheads. Additional targets could be represented by other NATO military bases and commands such as Vicenza (Caserma del Din and Caserma Ederle), Livorno (Camp Darby), Gaeta, Naples (Naval Support Activity), Taranto, Sigonella (Naval Air Station).
Nuclear, the simulation that scares Italy
According to the simulation “Iriad Review. Peace and Conflict Studies”, the Russian bombing of the above targets it would cause at least 55,000 deaths and over 190,000 injuries. Most casualties come from bombing targets near the cities: Naples (about 21,000 dead and 109,000 wounded), Vicenza (12,000 killed and 45,000 wounded), Gaeta (12,000 killed and 5,000 wounded) and Taranto (7,500 killed and nearly 27,000 wounded). To the human damage must be added the economic damage that the blockage of infrastructure and nerve centers would cause throughout the peninsula, and the environmental damage caused by the nuclear fallout and prolonged radiation.. For the dramatic estimation, Archivio Disarmo used the scenario model developed by Alex Wallerstein and applied by Princeton University.
“Predicting the worst does not mean determining it, but on the contrary preventing it,” emphasizes Francesca Farruggia, Secretary General of the Archivio Disarmo. Sticking to an argument that picks up on classic strategic thinking is based on the worst case, the goal of Archivio Disarmo it is meant to warn of a highly unlikely but terrifying threat. “Like us, and with much more resources than us, we trust that governments, international organizations that include Italy and the United Nations are pursuing the same goal,” says Iriad.