New Delhi: The discussion of the meeting between the US president and the Russian president in Hungary has raised a reflexive question: what would Russia’s military response be if Putin were arrested for any reason? Such questions have not only political implications but also potential security and nuclear-level threats. Therefore, attention is turning to a system Russia itself created as its last line of defense.
‘Dead Hand’ (Perimeter)—What is it?
‘Dead Hand’ is an automated nuclear countermeasure system developed during the Soviet era. Its purpose was clear: to deliver automatic retaliation against Russia’s adversaries even if a major nuclear attack destroyed the Russian leadership or disrupted communications.
This means the system has the ability to respond even if human control is lost—hence the rather frightening name.
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How It Works—Technical Outline
Dead Hand monitors a variety of sensors and signals simultaneously:
- Seismic sensors (i.e., intense ground movements),
- Atmospheric radiation levels (indicating a nuclear explosion),
- Radio communication outages, and
- Signals from military and intelligence networks.
If the system determines a nuclear attack has occurred and there is no response from the Russian command, it can activate a special command missile.
That missile transmits a “launch order” via airborne radio/signal to other Russian nuclear sites, allowing multiple missiles to be automatically launched. Theoretically, its purpose is to ensure that the attacking side suffers heavy losses—thus acting as a deterrent.
Is it active today?
Russia has repeatedly denied its full capabilities, but in 2011, some Russian commanders stated that Perimeter was capable. Experts believe it may have been upgraded with AI, satellite input, and better sensors.
However, it’s also true that such systems are extremely sensitive—discipline and multiple levels of verification are required to avoid false alarms.
Will it automatically destroy the entire world?
Technically, Dead Hand’s purpose is to ensure a retaliatory strike, but in reality, it has numerous controls and filters to prevent a miscalculation from leading to a major catastrophe.
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However, if the system makes a mistake or the circumstances are extremely wrong, the result could lead to a devastating and uncontrolled theoretical global nuclear reaction. This is why the world considers it extremely dangerous.
What will be the impact of the arrest?
If something like Putin’s arrest were to occur and communication with the top leadership were disrupted, systems like Perimeter could become a major concern for the security community. The bottom line is that transparency in nuclear-related decisions, redundancy (backup communications), and international dialogue are the only tools that can manage such risky situations.
Therefore, diplomatic methods, military communications, and international pressure become crucial to prevent a single incident from escalating into global catastrophe.