The nature and consequences of a nuclear war: lessons for prevention from Ukraine 2022

ABSTRACT

This article attempts to put the Ukrainian conflict in the wider context of nuclear weapons possession and potential use, to point out how its conduct should affect public perception of such use, and the urgency for effective nuclear arms control measures including a determined resolve to implement the United Nations’ 2017 Treaty on the Prevention of Nuclear Weapons.

KEYWORDS:

• Nuclear weapons detonation
• flaws in nuclear deterrence theory
• arms control prospects
• nuclear winter
• TPNW

Disclosure statement

I confirm that I have no conflicts of interest concerning this submission, and have not received any funding.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frank Boulton

Frank Boulton, MD (University London) 1975: MB BS, 1965: FRCPath, FRCPEd. Member of Medact, former Chair of the Board of Medact (2007 – 2012), former Deputy Speaker of the International Council of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (2017 – 2021). Retired Physician to the National Health Service, UK: specializing in haematology, last appointment to the National Blood Transfusion Service of England (now known as NHS BT) based in Southampton, England. Honorary Clinical Consultant in Blood Transfusion to the UK Armed Forces, 1999 – 2006. Currently honorary Clinical Teacher in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton.