Old car war documents have revealed that 38 towns and cities are in the firing line for a Russian nuclear blast if war were to ever break out. The doomsday scenario created by the government names nearly 40 areas in the UK that were deemed at risk of an attack from the Soviet Union.
Alongside the towns and cities, several other military bases, air strips and military ports all across the UK were identified. In total, 106 targets were chosen by military strategists as “probable nuclear targets” if WW3 were to ever break out. Although the three-figure list may already seem on the extensive side for a country the size of the UK, it was noted that these locations were only earmarked for nuclear attacks, and if conventional missiles and ballistics were used, the number of targets would be likely to rise.
The list was created under Edward Heath in the early 1970s and therefore reflects the targets of Britain from five decades ago.
The now declassified documents are housed at the National Archives, but could still hold some truth should tensions escalate once again.
Some more modern targets have also been identified by Russian senator and military veteran Dmitry Rogozin, who warned of UK sites at risk in 21st-century warfare.
This threat emerged following former defence secretary Ben Wallace’s controversial remarks about “making Crimea uninhabitable and unviable from a Russian point of view”.
Rogozin added: “We must help Ukraine acquire long-range capabilities to make Crimea uninhabitable. We need to strangle Crimea. What a sober minister has in mind, a former one has on his tongue.
“However, it is even good that they reveal their true intentions. It is useful to read this for those of us who still consider peace with imperialist aggressors possible.
“And my advice to our [Russian] oligarchs: do not send your children to study in England! It is deadly dangerous.”
Also listed were 23 RAF bases, 14 USAF bases, 10 radar stations, eight military command centres, and 13 Royal Navy bases.