A new finest hour of the nuclear suitcase? "Nuclear suitcase Nuclear suitcase

Today, almost every one of us is familiar with the phrase - a nuclear briefcase. But what exactly is hidden behind these words is not known to everyone. At the same time, another verbal construction is used inseparably from the nuclear suitcase - the nuclear button. Both the nuclear briefcase and the nuclear button are in the hands of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the President of the Russian Federation, and are transferred from one leader of the country to another as presidential powers expire.

The nuclear suitcase (YaCh) is the little that has come down to us since the Cold War. This is a special device that stores the codes to power the country's nuclear arsenal. This suitcase is always at hand for the top politicians and military leaders of countries that have their own arsenal of nuclear weapons. In Russia, with the help of a nuclear briefcase, the president communicates with the Strategic Missile Forces.

The first YaCh came up with the Americans. Similar devices appeared already under President Eisenhower (1953-1961). And this system acquired its final form in the days of the Caribbean crisis, when US President Kennedy questioned his control over the country's nuclear arsenal as the supreme commander. At that moment, he was attacked by both the US military and civilians from his entourage, many of whom offered to punish the presumptuous "commies." For this reason, Kennedy was afraid that, firstly, the order to launch a nuclear strike on the USSR could be given by someone without his consent. Secondly, that if necessary, he himself will not be able to give the same order, since he will not be at the prepared command post. As a result of these doubts, the nuclear briefcase appeared in the United States. Since then, only the president of the country has been able to order the use of the existing nuclear arsenal. At the same time, the order can be given even from your own bedroom, of course, if there is a nuclear weapon at hand.

Who came up with the definitions "nuclear suitcase" and "nuclear button", which have firmly entered the modern Russian lexicon? They were invented by Soviet international journalists. In the United States, a nuclear suitcase is the least like a suitcase. This is a kind of leather trunk, vaguely reminiscent of an American football ball. In the United States, it is called Nuclear Football, President's Emergency Satchel or The Button, and photographs in the Western press were also signed. Soviet journalists who worked on translating these definitions were well aware that they could not be translated literally. For example, "nuclear football "Sounds, frankly, ridiculous. "Button" is good, but impersonal. "Presidential emergency pack" is also not quite what you need. As a result, the definitions "Nuclear suitcase" and "Nuclear button" were chosen - short and clear.

In our country, the history of nuclear weapons has more than 30 years. In those years, an automated control system for nuclear forces with the code name "Kazbek" took up combat duty. This system became known to the general public precisely because of the Cheget subscriber complex, that same nuclear suitcase. It is correct to call the Russian nuclear warhead the subscriber complex "Cheget" of the automated control system for strategic nuclear forces "Kazbek". YACh is an integral part of the retaliatory strike system. It can be put into action only after a signal is received about a missile attack on our country.

First, a signal comes from the missile attack early warning system, this signal is necessarily checked by the general on duty, who is located at the command post in Solnechnogorsk. Only after this check, the Kazbek system goes into combat mode. This was told to journalists by Viktor Esin, chief of the main headquarters of the Strategic Missile Forces in 1994-96. Directly in the YaCh there is communication equipment with the command of the Strategic Missile Forces and the General Staff. To put it quite simply, this is a telephone, but information on it is transmitted not by voice, but by encrypted characters, such a connection cannot be blocked.

In the USSR, they thought about developing a mobile control panel for an existing nuclear group in the 1970s. At that time, Moscow seriously feared a surprise nuclear strike from Washington. In the 1970s, the leadership of the USSR could order the launch of strategic nuclear missiles only by arriving at the command post of the Strategic Missile Forces. At the same time, it took only 7 minutes for the American Pershing-2 ballistic missiles deployed in Europe and equipped with 400 kt warheads to fly up.

YaCh in the Soviet Union was created for Leonid Brezhnev, for this reason its management was simplified as much as possible so that the elderly general secretary could easily figure everything out. At the same time, Brezhnev did not get Cheget; by the time of his death, the system had not yet been debugged. Trial operation of domestic nuclear weapons began in 1983, the first to receive them were Chief of the General Staff Nikolai Ogarkov and Defense Minister Dmitry Ustinov. A year later, Konstantin Chernenko received his nuclear weapon, while full-scale tests of the system in various modes were in full swing at that moment. Thus, Mikhail Gorbachev received the first fully working nuclear weapon.

Currently, 3 nuclear suitcases are constantly on combat duty: one each for the President of the country, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff. Of course, in every suitcase there is that same nuclear button, pressing it transmits a signal to the command posts of the Strategic Missile Forces - a special code that allows you to use nuclear weapons. In this case, the launch of missiles will occur only when the command comes from all three devices. In fact, there are more than three suitcases, from time to time they are checked, changed and repaired. There is a legend that Boris Yeltsin was given a YaCh with serial number 51, he was indignant, and the number on the suitcase was changed to the first.

"Cheget" is intended for constant foot escort of persons who are authorized to dispose of the nuclear arsenal of our country. Most often, they are also followed by a car that is equipped with special communications. In Russia, the YaCh is worn by an officer with the rank of no less than a lieutenant colonel. In practice, the officer belongs to the signal troops, while the operator of the complex is always dressed in the uniform of the navy - a tribute to tradition. The suitcase itself, in order not to attract too much attention to itself, is made in the form of an ordinary briefcase-diplomat.

The only time in history the Cheget system was used on January 25, 1995. On this day, Black Brant XII, the world's largest meteorological rocket, was launched from an island off the coast of Norway. The trajectory of its flight was reminiscent of the trajectory of the American intercontinental ballistic missile "Trident", which was launched from a submarine. The end point of her route could be a nuclear explosion in the air, aimed at disabling the Russian missile attack warning system. The notice of the Norwegian side about the launch of the rocket was lost somewhere in the offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the next day, Russian President Boris Yeltsin talked about the first time he used his nuclear weapon for emergency communication with his military advisers.

American nuclear briefcase

The owner of the White House also has his own nuclear suitcase. However, as we wrote above, it is called Nuclear Football, as it is made in the form of a bag made of black leather, shaped like a ball used in American football. This leather bag hides a titanium box with a plastic card - "sanctioning plate", the box is closed with a combination lock. By printing the card, the President can find out the code used to activate the American nuclear arsenal. In addition, it also contains a 30-page instruction on what the president should do in the event of a nuclear war. Among other things, it contains information about all the secret bunkers available to the president.

Consequences of using a nuclear suitcase

The reader may have a reasonable question, what will happen if the carriers of the Chegets and the command and control posts are disabled. In this case, the Perimeter system will come into operation in Russia, which is able to operate without human intervention. In the West, the Russian system was nicknamed very effectively "Dead Hand" (dead hand).

It is worth noting that any large-scale conflict with the exchange of nuclear strikes between the United States and Russia, which together have more than 16 thousand nuclear warheads, will lead to a universal catastrophe, regardless of the presence of the Perimeter system. According to experts, the scenario of a nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia will lead to the simultaneous death of 770 million people. At the same time, 180 million tons of soot will be thrown into the Earth's atmosphere almost simultaneously, which will block up to 70% of the sunlight coming to our planet over the surface of the Northern Hemisphere and 35% over the surface of the Southern Hemisphere. The so-called “nuclear twilight” will begin, and the world will plunge into an ice age similar to the one that was on Earth 18 thousand years ago.

This will be the time when "the living will envy the dead." Up to 70% of the world crop will die, and many animals that are now at the top of the food chain, including almost all of humanity. People will be haunted by hunger, pandemics, radioactive fallout, the reduction of areas suitable for life. Most of the countries in the world that survive the consequences of such a conflict will plunge into the Stone Age. Knowing this, you better understand what responsibility the people who received the nuclear suitcase should bear.

30 years ago, the Kazbek automated control system for the country's nuclear forces took up combat duty. It is known to the general public thanks to the Cheget subscriber complex or nuclear suitcase. We learned how it works and where it has a button.

atomic phone

The subscriber complex "Cheget" of the automated control system for strategic nuclear forces "Kazbek" - that's how it is correctly called nuclear suitcase, is a retaliatory strike tool. It is activated only after receiving a signal about a missile attack on Russia.

« First, a signal is received from the missile attack early warning system. It is checked by the duty general of the command post in Solnechnogorsk, and only after that the Kazbek system is put into combat mode.", - said Viktor Esin, head of the main headquarters of the strategic missile forces in 1994-1996.

The suitcase contains communication equipment with the General Staff and the command of the Strategic Missile Forces. Roughly speaking, a telephone - but information is transmitted not by voice, but by encrypted characters. It is not possible to block the connection.

The decision to create a mobile control panel for the country's nuclear potential was made in the 70s, when the USSR was seriously afraid of a surprise nuclear strike from the United States. At that time, the country's leadership could give an order to launch missiles only by arriving at the command post of the Strategic Missile Forces, and the flight time of Pershing-2 ballistic missiles from Europe with 400-kiloton warheads was seven minutes ...

Where is his button?

A “nuclear suitcase” was being developed for Leonid Brezhnev, and its management was made as simple as possible so that the elderly general secretary could figure it out. True, Brezhnev did not get Cheget - they did not have time to debug the system. And Yuri Andropov too. Trial operation of the suitcase began in 1983 with Defense Minister Dmitry Ustinov and Chief of Staff Nikolai Ogarkov.

A year later, "Cheget" was received by Konstantin Chernenko. Full-scale tests of the system in different modes continued for another year. Fully working nuclear suitcase presented to Mikhail Gorbachev. They say that the last Secretary General of the USSR examined the product with interest, but did not delve into the details - they say that there are specialists for this.

Three Chegets are constantly on combat duty: the head of state, the minister of defense and the chief of the general staff. There is a “main button” in the suitcases - it transmits a code to the command posts of the Strategic Missile Forces, allowing the use of nuclear weapons. But the launch of missiles will occur only if commands about this come from all three consoles.

Of course, the total number of suitcases is more than three - they are changed, checked, repaired ... There is a legend that Boris Yeltsin was given Cheget with the number 51. The president was indignant and the number on the suitcase was changed to the first.

"Cheget" is designed for foot escort of persons authorized to dispose of Russia's nuclear arsenal. Usually they are followed by a car with special communications. Wears "Cheget" operator - an officer with the rank of not lower than lieutenant colonel. Despite the fact that he belongs to the signal troops, the operator is dressed in a naval uniform - this is the tradition.

The first operators were personally selected by the curator of the Kazbek project, the head of the operational department of the General Staff, Ivan Nikolaev. In addition to knowledge of the material part, restraint and composure, Colonel-General Nikolaev presented one more requirement to the candidates: not to be shy in front of high authorities. He checked on himself, appearing in front of the subject with all the regalia. " If you are scared in front of the general, how to show you to the general secretary? Nikolaev said. — You'll still faint».

Come on, show me your suitcase

The only time "Cheget" was used on January 25, 1995, after the world's largest meteorological rocket Black Brant XII was launched from an island off the coast of Norway. The trajectory of her flight was reminiscent of an American Trident ICBM fired from a submarine.

The end point of the route could be a high-altitude nuclear explosion that disables the Russian radars of the missile attack warning system. The notice of the Norwegians about the launch of the rocket was lost in the Foreign Ministry, and the next day Boris Yeltsin said that for the first time he used his briefcase for emergency communication with military advisers.

In the book "Presidential Marathon" Yeltsin described another case related to the nuclear briefcase. It was in 1991 during a hunt in Zavidovo near Moscow. " When sailing on a boat on the lake, one foreign guest kept looking at the black suitcase at the bottom of the boat. Thought it was nuclear. He tried to stay away from the suitcase, strove to sit down on the edge of the boat. I didn't dissuade him. And when they opened the suitcase on the island and took out two bottles of vodka and pickles, the guest laughed for a long time", - recalled Boris Nikolaevich.

How about the neighbors

The American nuclear briefcase is called the "ball" because it is a black leather bag shaped like an American football. The bag hides a titanium box with a plastic card, a "sanctioning plate", closed with a combination lock. By printing it, you can find out the presidential code to activate the US nuclear arsenal.

Also in the box is communications equipment and a 30-page manual on what the American president should do in the event of a nuclear war. In particular, there is a list of secret bunkers where you can sit out.

Officers to carry the "ball" are selected from four branches of the armed forces and the coast guard. Before picking up the black bag, the candidate goes through a rigorous background check and receives the White Yankee security clearance of the highest order. The officer is armed with a pistol and has the right to shoot without warning. The "ball" is chained to his arm with a steel bracelet. When the president changes, the "nuclear bag" passes to the new head of the White House on the day of the inauguration. At the same time, he has to listen to a half-hour lecture on using the “ball”.

Asymmetric response

Russia also has an alternative to Kazbek's nuclear command and control system. It provides for a retaliatory strike with all the power of the domestic Strategic Missile Forces in the event that the Cheget carriers and command posts are disabled. The system is called and operates without human intervention. In the West, it was nicknamed "Dead Hand", a dead hand.

Who came up with the definitions "nuclear suitcase" and "nuclear button", which have firmly entered the modern Russian lexicon? They were invented by Soviet international journalists. In the United States, a nuclear suitcase is the least like a suitcase. This is a kind of leather trunk, vaguely reminiscent of an American football ball. In the USA it is called Nuclear Football, President's Emergency Satchel or The Button, as well as photographs in the Western press. Soviet journalists who worked on translating these definitions were well aware that it was impossible to translate them word for word. For example, "nuclear football" sounds, frankly, ridiculous. "Button" - good, but impersonal. "Presidential alarm pack" - also not quite what you need. As a result, the definitions "Nuclear suitcase" and "Nuclear button" were chosen - short and clear.

American nuclear briefcase

Officers of the 4 branches of the armed forces, as well as the Coast Guard, are used to carry American nuclear weapons. Before that, all candidates undergo a very serious check and selection, and also receive the highest security access - "White Yankee". The officer carrying the briefcase is armed with a personal pistol and has the right to use his weapon without warning. The "ball" is chained to the hand of an American officer with a special steel bracelet. When the president changes, as in Russia, the YaCh passes to the new owner of the White House on the day of the official inauguration. At the same time, a short 30-minute lecture is given on the use of this device.

Consequences of using a nuclear suitcase

Yesterday, May 27, the American magazine " foreign
Policy » published an article by David Hoffman
( DAVID E. HOFFMAN ) “Russian nuclear
button"

David Hoffman - Pulitzer Prize-winning author
"The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and
Its Dangerous Legacy" (Dead Hand: The Untold Story of
the Cold War arms race and its dangerous legacy).

Briefly the history and current state of the system and
decision-making schemes on the use of nuclear
weapons, according to the publication are as follows.

The Soviet Union created the current command system
and management at the height of the Cold War in the early 1980s.
Three nuclear suitcases were put into action just
at the moment when the Soviet leader in 1985
was Mikhail Gorbachev. They were connected to the backup
networks "Caucasus",

consisting of cables, radio transmitters and
satellites. The three suitcases are, in fact,
communication terminals that give users
them to people information about a possible attack, as well as
allow them to consult with each other. initially
suitcases were at the disposal of the Soviet
Secretary General, Minister of Defense and Chief
General Staff, because in the Soviet system
the military has traditionally played a more important role in making
decisions about nuclear war. If a decision is made about
nuclear launch, then the order is transmitted from the "Cheget" to the receiving
terminal "Baksan", located at the command posts in
the General Staff, in the Strategic Missile Forces
destination, navy and air force
forces. The general communication network is called "Kazbek".
"Cheget" itself does not include a nuclear button.
This is a launch order transmission system. Start order
received by the military, who pass it on to the appropriate
type of armed forces and combat crews.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the three-case system
remained unchanged, and was transferred to Russia.

In the event of a nuclear missile attack on Russia, three
suitcases filled with electronic stuffing should
simultaneously sound an alarm to their owners.
Inside each there is a portable terminal connected
with a network of command and control of strategic
Russian nuclear forces. One of these suitcases
time is next to the Russian president
Dmitry Medvedev wherever he goes. "Cheget", and
gives the President the opportunity to follow the development
missile crisis, make decisions and communicate these
military decisions. This briefcase looks like a nuclear
"soccer ball" (colloquial name for nuclear
suitcase in the USA) accompanying american
president. There is a dangerous flaw in this system, which
few people understand. According to the Russian constitution
1993, President is Commander-in-Chief
armed forces; and if for some reason
is incapacitated, then all his powers will be transferred
to the prime minister. However, at the disposal of the prime minister
no nuclear briefcase. Two other suitcases
"Cheget" are with the Minister of Defense and the head
General Staff, as it was in Soviet times.
As a result, uncertainty is formed: neither the first,
no second military leader has a constitutional and
legal right to decide on a nuclear
attack. Of course, in times of crisis they will
chief advisers to the president, but the decision
they do not accept.
What is the danger? The United States and Russia
there are still nuclear-armed missiles,
ready for quick launch.
US ground-launched missiles will
ready to launch in four minutes. When
warnings of an impending nuclear strike
the president will have to make decisions very quickly,
with limited information. In such
emergency, it is necessary that everyone
responsible person in both the White House and the Kremlin were
clearly defined roles, without any duality and
uncertainty. In the new Russia there was a case when
the nuclear suitcase was handed over to the prime minister.
It happened in 1996, when Boris Yeltsin was given
heart surgery.

Such debates are not unique, and occur not only in
Russia. In his 2004 book "Rise
of the Vulcans: The History of Bush"s War Cabinet"
(Rise of the Volcanoes: The History of the War Cabinet
Bush) James Mann recalls how in the years
under the Reagan administration, a plan was developed to preserve
performance of the American government in the event of
nuclear war. Three different teams were sent from
Washington to three different places, and each had to
to be ready to announce a new
American "president" and take control
country. Every time one of the teams left
Washington, one representative went with her
Reagan cabinet, which was supposed to take on
himself as the next "president" of the United States. These
people had very little experience in matters of national
security. Mann wrote that this program
illegal and unconstitutional, and what it establishes
a process not provided for by either the American
constitution or federal law.
After the September 11 attacks, this issue was again
attracted attention. A commission was set up for
chaired by former Senators Alan Simpson
(Alan K. Simpson) and David Pryor (David Pryor). Her
called the Commission on the Succession of Government,
and she produced a series of reports indicating
shortcomings and uncertainties in the chain
succession of presidential power in the United States, especially
in the event of a catastrophic attack when the heirs
the President will die or become incapacitated.
The Commission issued a number of recommendations, but action on them
not accepted yet.
In Russia, there is no law defining such a chain
succession of presidential power in the event of death
president. The only thing that exists is the position
constitution that the duties of the president in such
the situation is handled by the prime minister. D. Hoffman
in his book "The Dead Hand" describes a system
guaranteed retribution of the Soviet era in response to
nuclear attack. This system, put on combat
duty in the 80s, that is, at about the same time,
like the suitcases "Cheget", is called "Perimeter".
According to the apocalyptic scenario, if in
as a result of a nuclear attack, the entire leadership will die,
then the decision to launch nuclear missiles will be made
group of officers on combat duty
deep underground bunker. This system is still
exists.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

nuclear suitcase- a device that stores codes for activating the nuclear arsenal of the Russian Federation, which is always in the possession of the highest political and military leaders of the state. Through the "nuclear suitcase" communication with the Strategic Missile Forces is carried out.

Kazbek system

The system was put into operation in 1983 . The first leader of the USSR, who began to be accompanied by officers with a "nuclear suitcase", was in 1984 Konstantin Chernenko.

"Nuclear suitcases" (plus reserve ones) are in the hands of the Supreme Commander, Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff. The key to the "YaCh" is kept by the operating officer. The system will only be activated if coded acknowledgments are received from two of them. Reserve "YCH" are stored in a designated location.

Despite the fact that the officer wearing the “suitcase” refers to the signal troops, he is always dressed in the uniform of a naval officer. This is done so that it can be quickly and easily found with a glance in a group of accompanying persons. The “suitcase” itself, in order not to attract attention, has the appearance of an ordinary diplomat briefcase.

The case is made by an American company Samsonite .

Transfer of the “nuclear briefcase” in Russia

On December 25, 1991 at 19:38, USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev, before an appeal on television about the resignation of presidential powers, handed over the “nuclear suitcase” to Russian President Boris Yeltsin, after which the flag over the Kremlin was changed from Soviet to Russian.
It was officially reported that in 1996, during a heart operation, Boris Yeltsin handed over a "nuclear suitcase" to Prime Minister Chernomyrdin. However, as the former deputy head of the Presidential Security Service, Gennady Zakharov, said, Boris Yeltsin did not hand over the “nuclear suitcase” to Viktor Chernomyrdin. The "porter" officers simply sat in the lobby of the hospital, and as soon as Boris Nikolayevich came to his senses, the "nuclear suitcase" was brought into his room.
December 31, 1999 Yeltsin, announcing on television his resignation from the post of President of the Russian Federation, appointing Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as Acting President of the Russian Federation, including handing him a "nuclear suitcase".
On May 7, 2008, the "nuclear suitcase" was handed over by the then current Russian President Vladimir Putin to the next President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, on the day of his inauguration.
On May 7, 2012, the “nuclear suitcase” was handed over by the then current President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev to the newly elected President of Russia Vladimir Putin on the day of his inauguration, the live broadcast of which did not involve the broadcast of the transmission of the device on television.

Russia's nuclear suitcase in art

Film "Get Smart"
Film "Salt"
Hitman 2 game
Battlefield 3 game

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presidents

Acting

Vice President (post abolished)

Elections

Taking office

Removal from office

Resignations

Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces

Administration

Executive agencies run by the President of Russia

Advisory and deliberative bodies under the President of Russia

Presidential documents

Symbols of presidential power

Forms of encouragement by the president

An excerpt characterizing the Nuclear Suitcase (Russia)

- And whose is this? she said, turning to her governess and looking into the face of her daughter, who represented the Kazan Tatar. - It seems that someone from the Rostovs. Well, you, mister hussar, in which regiment do you serve? she asked Natasha. “Give the Turk some marshmallows,” she said to the bartender who was scolding, “this is not forbidden by their law.
Sometimes, looking at the strange but funny steps performed by the dancers, who decided once and for all that they were dressed up, that no one would recognize them and therefore were not embarrassed, Pelageya Danilovna covered herself with a scarf, and her whole corpulent body shook from the uncontrollable kind, old woman's laughter . - Sachinet is mine, Sachinet is mine! she said.
After Russian dances and round dances, Pelageya Danilovna united all the servants and gentlemen together, in one large circle; they brought a ring, a rope and a ruble, and general games were arranged.
After an hour, all the costumes were wrinkled and upset. Cork mustaches and eyebrows smeared over sweaty, flushed, and cheerful faces. Pelageya Danilovna began to recognize the mummers, admired how well the costumes were made, how they went especially to the young ladies, and thanked everyone for having so amused her. The guests were invited to dine in the living room, and in the hall they ordered refreshments for the courtyards.
- No, guessing in the bathhouse, that's scary! said the old girl who lived with the Melyukovs at dinner.
- From what? asked the eldest daughter of the Melyukovs.
- Don't go, it takes courage...
"I'll go," Sonya said.
- Tell me, how was it with the young lady? - said the second Melyukova.
- Yes, just like that, one young lady went, - said the old girl, - she took a rooster, two appliances - as it should, she sat down. She sat, only hears, suddenly rides ... with bells, with bells, a sleigh drove up; hears, goes. Enters completely in the form of a human, as an officer, he came and sat down with her at the device.
- A! Ah! ... - Natasha screamed, rolling her eyes in horror.
“But how does he say that?”
- Yes, like a man, everything is as it should be, and he began, and began to persuade, and she should have kept him talking to the roosters; and she made money; – only zarobela and closed hands. He grabbed her. It's good that the girls came running here ...
- Well, what to scare them! said Pelageya Danilovna.
“Mother, you yourself guessed ...” said the daughter.
- And how do they guess in the barn? Sonya asked.
- Yes, at least now, they will go to the barn, and they will listen. What do you hear: hammering, knocking - bad, but pouring bread - this is good; and then it happens...
- Mom, tell me what happened to you in the barn?
Pelageya Danilovna smiled.
“Yes, I forgot…” she said. “After all, you won’t go, will you?”
- No, I'll go; Pepageya Danilovna, let me go, I'll go, - said Sonya.
- Well, if you're not afraid.
- Louise Ivanovna, can I have one? Sonya asked.
Whether they played a ring, a rope or a ruble, whether they talked, as now, Nikolai did not leave Sonya and looked at her with completely new eyes. It seemed to him that today only for the first time, thanks to that cork mustache, he fully recognized her. Sonya really was cheerful that evening, lively and good, such as Nikolay had never seen her before.
“So that’s what she is, but I’m a fool!” he thought, looking at her sparkling eyes and a happy, enthusiastic smile, dimpled from under her moustache, which he had not seen before.
"I'm not afraid of anything," said Sonya. - Can I do it now? She got up. Sonya was told where the barn was, how she could stand silently and listen, and they gave her a fur coat. She threw it over her head and looked at Nikolai.
"What a beauty this girl is!" he thought. “And what have I been thinking about until now!”
Sonya went out into the corridor to go to the barn. Nikolai hurriedly went to the front porch, saying that he was hot. Indeed, the house was stuffy from the crowded people.
It was the same unmoving cold outside, the same month, only it was even lighter. The light was so strong and there were so many stars in the snow that I didn’t want to look at the sky, and real stars were invisible. It was black and dull in the sky, it was fun on the ground.
"I'm a fool, a fool! What have you been waiting for until now? Nikolay thought, and, running away to the porch, he walked around the corner of the house along the path that led to the back porch. He knew that Sonya would go here. In the middle of the road stood stacked fathoms of firewood, there was snow on them, a shadow fell from them; through them and from their side, intertwining, the shadows of old bare lindens fell on the snow and the path. The path led to the barn. The chopped wall of the barn and the roof, covered with snow, as if carved from some kind of precious stone, gleamed in the moonlight. A tree cracked in the garden, and again everything was completely quiet. The chest, it seemed, was breathing not air, but some kind of eternally young strength and joy.
From the girl's porch, feet pounded on the steps, a loud creak creaked on the last one, on which snow had been applied, and the voice of the old girl said:
“Straight, straight, here on the path, young lady. Just don't look back.
“I’m not afraid,” Sonya’s voice answered, and along the path, in the direction of Nikolai, Sonya’s legs screeched, whistled in thin shoes.
Sonya walked wrapped in a fur coat. She was already two steps away when she saw him; she saw him, too, not in the same way as she knew and of whom she had always been a little afraid. He was in a woman's dress with tangled hair and a happy and new smile for Sonya. Sonya quickly ran up to him.
"Quite different, and still the same," Nikolai thought, looking at her face, all illuminated by moonlight. He put his hands under the fur coat that covered her head, hugged her, pressed her to him and kissed her lips, over which there were mustaches and which smelled of burnt cork. Sonya kissed him right in the middle of her lips and, holding out her small hands, took his cheeks on both sides.
“Sonya!… Nicolas!…” they only said. They ran to the barn and returned each from their own porch.

When everyone drove back from Pelageya Danilovna, Natasha, who always saw and noticed everything, arranged accommodation in such a way that Louise Ivanovna and she sat in the sleigh with Dimmler, and Sonya sat with Nikolai and the girls.

A new finest hour of the nuclear suitcase? "Nuclear suitcase Nuclear suitcase

Consequences of using a nuclear suitcase

Kazbek system

Transfer of the “nuclear briefcase” in Russia

Russia's nuclear suitcase in art

see also

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An excerpt characterizing the Nuclear Suitcase (Russia)