Also note that if US strike were a real five-missile strike, the retaliation would still be possible. Even half of the USSR stockpile was enough to level all the major military bases and industrial cities. If USSR “retaliated” to something that was not a real first strike… Let’s just say that Petrov chose the cheaper risk.
Also note that if US strike were a real five-missile strike, the retaliation would still be possible. Even half of the USSR stockpile was enough to level all the major military bases and industrial cities. If USSR “retaliated” to something that was not a real first strike… Let’s just say that Petrov chose the cheaper risk.