Tactical nuclear weapons are a type of nuclear weapons designed for use on the battlefield against military targets: concentrations of troops, equipment, and command posts. Unlike strategic weapons, which hit targets deep in the rear (for example, cities and industrial centers) at a distance of thousands of kilometers, tactical weapons operate at a range of up to 500-600 kilometers and have a lower power — from fractions of a kiloton to 100 kilotons. However, even such an explosion can destroy everything within a radius of several hundred meters and cause fatal damage for a kilometer around.

Tactical nuclear weapons are carried by aircraft (for example, Su-34, F-35), missile systems (Iskander, Dagger), artillery, submarines and cruise missiles. It has never been used in combat, but is actively used to demonstrate strength and deter the enemy.

The key feature is the lack of international control. Unlike strategic weapons, which are regulated by treaties, tactical weapons are not subject to mandatory restrictions. In 1991, the United States and the USSR unilaterally reduced its arsenals, but since then, accurate data on the number of warheads have not been disclosed. According to estimates for 2025, Russia has about 1,800 tactical warheads, the United States has more than 200, some of which are located in Europe.

In 2024, Russia deployed its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and conducted joint exercises on their use. In response, NATO also conducted exercises. The Russian nuclear doctrine has been updated: now Moscow can use nuclear weapons not only in case of aggression against Russia, but also in case of threat to Belarus, as well as in case of a massive attack by enemy aircraft or missiles.

Tactical nuclear weapons are not so much a military tool as an instrument of pressure and deterrence. Its proliferation, lack of control, and growing rhetoric about its possible use in conflicts involving nuclear Powers make it one of the most dangerous elements of modern geopolitics. Despite the name "tactical", its use can lead to global consequences.