What is Nuclear Briefcase?

October 20, 2023

During a recent visit to China by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a peculiar sight caught the attention of onlookers. Russian officers accompanying Putin were observed carrying a mysterious item known as the “nuclear briefcase.”

Unraveling the ‘Nuclear Briefcase’

The ‘nuclear briefcase,’ also referred to as the ‘Cheget’ (named after a Russian mountain), plays a vital role in Russia’s system for authorizing nuclear strikes.
It is an integral part of a secure communication network designed to relay orders for nuclear strikes to the country’s rocket forces.
This communication system operates through the ‘Kazbek’ electronic command-and-control network, which, in turn, supports another system known as ‘Kavkaz.’
Notably, the President, Defense Minister, and Chief of General Staff each possess a briefcase, emphasizing the importance of coordination in the event of a potential nuclear strike order. The President even carries the briefcase on international visits.

The Closest Brush with Activation

The ‘nuclear briefcase’ came closest to being used in 1995, marking the first and only known instance of its activation during a crisis.
This event transpired at the Olenegorsk Radar Station in northwestern Russia when Russian officers detected what they believed to be the launch of a hostile American missile off Norway’s northern coast.
In reality, it was the Black Brant XII, a research rocket studying the Northern Lights phenomenon, launched as part of a joint US-Norway project. The mistaken detection prompted the distribution of the briefcases to Russia’s leaders for planning a response.
Fortunately, the nature of the launch became clear in a matter of minutes, and the crisis was averted, leading to the stand-down of forces.

A Peek into the System’s Mechanism

Understanding how the ‘nuclear briefcase’ system functions reveals its critical role in nuclear control. Radar operators alert the Russian electronic command-and-control networks in the event of potential enemy action.
The information is relayed to the leaders via a complex network of cables, radio signals, satellites, and relays at the heart of the Russian command and control.
Leaders with access to the briefcases, such as the President, monitor the situation and have the authority to authorize or abort a nuclear strike using a set of buttons inside the briefcase. This system ensures swift decision-making in high-stress situations.

Similar Systems Worldwide

Russia is not the only nation with such a system.
The American President also possesses a similar briefcase, officially known as the Presidential Emergency Satchel, which has earned the nickname ‘football.’
Its origins date back to the era of President John F. Kennedy’s concern about the quick verification of orders for a nuclear strike during the Cold War.
The ‘football’ contains information on retaliatory options, classified site locations, and an authentication code card known as the ‘biscuit.’
The President can use this system to authorize a nuclear attack, a process akin to Russia’s system. In the event of the President’s incapacitation or death, the Vice President also has a briefcase nearby for continuity.

Safety Concerns and Incidents

Despite the meticulous security protocols surrounding these briefcases, there have been incidents of concern.
In 2021, the US Defense Department watchdog assessed the safety of the ‘football’ after reports emerged that during the January 2021 riots at the US Capitol, the Vice President’s briefcase was in close proximity to the disturbance.

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