Russian TV shows rare glimpse of one of three nuclear briefcases

Inside Putin’s nuclear briefcase: Russian TV shows rare glimpse of one of three attache cases Moscow could use to unleash World War III

  • Briefcase said to contain codes to Russia’s nuclear arsenal shown on television 
  • Inside of Cheget displayed on Zvezda, a channel run by the Ministry of Defence 
  • Controller has distinctly unmodern-looking number pad and four large buttons 

A Russian television network has given a rare glimpse into one of three carefully guarded briefcases that Moscow could use to trigger nuclear strikes. 

The briefcase, which has a personalised key code, a flash card and is under constant supervision, is said to remotely control Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

The Cheget, developed in the 1980s, allows president Vladimir Putin to give the order to launch a nuclear weapon by sending a permission code to the Strategic Missile Forces. It can also warn Putin and high-ranked officials of any early signs of a nuclear attack. 

The inside of the case was displayed on television for the first time by host Alexei Yegorov, who gave the public a detailed view of the nuclear controller. 

The inside of Russia’s nuclear briefcase has been displayed on television for the first time

The briefcase, which is the size of a laptop bag, has a distinctly unmodern-looking horizontal number pad across the centre and four large buttons underneath. One of which – the white key – is said to be the nuclear launch button. 

Yegorov said: ‘One of the briefcase’s components is a flash card. It is individual, and it is one of the keys that is entered [into the system].’

He added that he was unable to disclose any other sensitive information related to the nuclear briefcase’s functions.

The up-close overview broadcast on Zvezda, a TV channel run by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, was the first time such a device was permitted to be opened on television. 

The up-close overview broadcast on Zvezda, a TV channel run by Russia's Ministry of Defence, was the first time such a device was permitted to be opened on television

The up-close overview broadcast on Zvezda, a TV channel run by Russia’s Ministry of Defence, was the first time such a device was permitted to be opened on television

It is said the Cheget is supervised by an officer who accompanies Putin, 67, wherever he goes. 

It is believed, however, that there are three nuclear briefcases in total, which are accessible only by the three most highly-ranked officials in the Russian Federation.

Alongside Putin, these men include Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu, 64, and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Valeriy Gerasimov, 64.

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