Nuclear Impact Analysis · Slovakia

Is Bratislava safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Bratislava and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 475,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Bratislava city centre sits 54.8 km from Vienna, the most plausible strategic target in the area (low targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 45.7K, injuries: 55.1K

Run the interactive simulation for Bratislava →

What a strike on Vienna would mean

A 150 kt detonation produces a fireball 490 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.8 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 3.7 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 8.2 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 5.2 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Bratislava the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Bratislava

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Viennacity55 km150 ktlow
Aviano Air Base, Italymilitary415 km300 kthigh
Warsawgovernment532 km300 ktmedium
Berlin government quartergovernment553 km300 kthigh
Ghedi Air Base, Italy (B61)military602 km300 kthigh

Key blast radii (150 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball490 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.8 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.7 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns5.2 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.1 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast8.2 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Bratislava can prepare

With a population density of 1,200 people/km², Bratislava's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Bratislava →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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