Tahmeed Ahmad, Al Hakam
On 21 November 2024, the Russian military deployed intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), an unstoppable force of mass destruction, against Ukraine.
While we slept in oblivion, a line was crossed that had not been crossed before. Though even if we had known, there would have been no way to stop it.
This event illustrated just how easy it is to end the world and how fragile peace truly is. No historian will be able to write about World War III without mentioning this day – when the world came terribly close to ending.
Weapons of mass destruction
Decades-old predictions from World War II were materialised in the form of ballistic missiles, commonly referred to as BMs. A ballistic missile is a type of missile that utilises projectile motion to deliver warheads to a target.
The advanced qualities of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) make them commonly used for delivering thermonuclear weapons. A thermonuclear weapon, also known as a fusion weapon or hydrogen bomb, is classified as a second-generation nuclear weapon.
Unlike the bulky and cumbersome nuclear weapons often portrayed in popular movies and series, modern second-generation weapons are much more compact. Some ICBMs can even carry multiple warheads, allowing each one to strike a different target.
If you’re counting the number of countries that possess nuclear weapons, you may want to recount. The current focus should be on countries with operational ICBMs, as a weapon that cannot reach its intended enemy is of no use.
For the reader’s convenience, some basic information is provided below. Generally, the greater the missile’s range, the more challenging it is to intercept. After reaching a certain range, the ballistic missile enters a new category:
- Tactical ballistic missile (TBM): Range less than 300 kilometres
- Short-range ballistic missile (SRBM): Range from 300 to 1,000 km
- Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM): Range from 1,000 to 3,500 km
- Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM): Range from 3,500 to 5,500 km
- Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM): Range greater than 5,500 km
A world war in the making
What key ingredients are necessary for a world war? The short answer is involvement. It starts as a conflict, escalates into a regional war, and with enough countries participating, it can develop into a world war. This reflects the current situation of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Ukraine
Last year, Germany provided Ukraine with the first shipment of its Leopard 2 tanks.
“Eighteen cutting-edge main battle tanks were delivered after Ukrainian crews were trained to use them.
“Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he was sure the tanks could ‘make a decisive contribution’ on the frontlines of the war.” (Ukraine war: Germany sends much-awaited Leopard tanks, bbc.com, 28 March 2023)
A few months ago, Ukraine received F-16 Fighter Jets from the US. This was again an alarming escalation to the war, allowing more casualties and blood to be spilt.
“Ukraine’s leader thanked allies for what they were once very hesitant to provide – though he added that many more were needed.
“The arrival of the jets marks a crucial milestone in boosting the capabilities of Ukraine’s air force, which largely relies on old Soviet-era jets.” (Ukraine receives first F-16 fighter jets – Zelensky, bbc.com, 4 August 2024)
Western support for Ukraine is widely known. The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW) has established the Ukraine Support Tracker, which is a database that records military, financial, and humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine. This tracker includes detailed information about each country’s contributions. (Ukraine Support Tracker, www.ifw-kiel.de)
Russia
On the day Donald Trump was re-elected as President of the United States, news emerged that North Korean troops had reportedly clashed with Ukrainian forces for the first time. (North Korean troops ‘enter’ battle; Trump win throws Ukraine aid in doubt, aljazeera.com, 8 November 2024)
Foreign mercenaries and soldiers have been involved in the war for quite some time. A recent documentary produced by the Russian news network, RT (Russia Today), titled Soldiers of Misfortune has highlighted this issue. However, the involvement of the North Korean army marks the first instance of another nation being fully engaged in the conflict.
Similarly, Iran has not ceased to get involved: “Ukraine’s foreign ministry said on Friday that Russia had launched 8,060 Iran-developed Shahed drones at Ukraine since it began its full-scale invasion 2-1/2 years ago.” (Ukraine says Russia launched 8,060 Iran-developed drones during war, reuters.com, 13 September 2024)
Every part of the world is involved, whether it be India, which is heavily purchasing Russian oil and gas, or China, which has been accused of sabotaging undersea cables in Europe (akin to what the US is being accused of by Russia).
The escalation(s)
A few days ago, on 19 November 2024, President Biden approved Ukraine’s use of US-made ATACMS missiles to target Russian territory. The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS (pronounced “attack ‘ems”), has a range of up to 300 kilometres, allowing it to strike deep into Russian territory. A clear sign of escalation. (Atacms: what are the missiles Ukraine has fired into Russia for first time?, theguardian.com, 19 November 2024)
The following day, on 20 November 2024, Ukraine fired UK-made Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. These ongoing escalations of the war prompted Russia to give a response.
On 21 November 2024, President Putin confirmed that Russia has used its latest Hypersonic Missile System, Oreshnik on a Ukrainian defence industry facility. A weapon that travels up to 10 Mach (3 km per second) and was built to deliver thermonuclear weapons.
In a broadcast from the Kremlin, President Putin states: “There are no means of countering such weapons today” (A new hypersonic missile, conflict escalation and a warning for NATO: what you need to know from Putin’s latest address, www.swentr.site, 21 November 2024)
Winter is coming
Although Europe is not openly admitting it, there are signs that war is approaching. This year, many European countries have urged their citizens to stockpile emergency supplies and food.
“The report on Europe’s civilian and military preparedness, published on Wednesday, was written by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in his capacity as Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission.
“The report notes that the EU was not prepared for either the COVID-19 pandemic or Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and that it needs to move ‘from reaction to proactive preparedness.’
“As part of this strategy, the EU should advise households to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours in the event of an emergency, the report says.” (Europeans Told to Stockpile Food in Case of War With Russia, www.newsweek.com, 31 October 2024)
The UK launched an entire website earlier this year dedicated to helping people prepare for unforeseen emergencies: prepare.campaign.gov.uk asks its visitors the following question: “How would you prepare for an emergency?”
Scandinavia too has taken similar steps. In the wake of recent escalations, Sweden has issued 5 million pamphlets instructing its people to stockpile for the war. (Sweden tells citizens to prepare for WAR: Five million households get pamphlets on how to get their home ready for nuclear armageddon… as Biden is accused of trying to start World War Three, dailymail.co.uk, 18 November 2024)
Norway has also instructed its citizens to prepare a week’s worth of supplies.“We have sent out 2.2 million paper copies, one for each household in Norway,” said Tore Kamfjord, who is responsible for the campaign. (Norway issues stockpile warning to citizens amid rising Russia-US tensions, www.joe.co.uk, 18 November 2024)
Khalifatul Masih Vaa has been providing guidance on this subject for nearly two decades. In his recent Friday sermon, he reminded Ahmadis once again to keep two to three months’ worth of provisions at home.
Noah’s ark
For over 20 years, a dedicated leader has championed the cause of peace, tirelessly reaching out to the world. He has left no stone unturned in reaching out to the most influential leaders of the world to bring about change.
The current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa has been calling on humanity to heed his warnings, unite, and work collectively to prevent the outbreak of another world war.
That we stand at the precipice of disaster is indicative of the profundity of his warning. We must learn from the example of the people of Noahas, who preferred to seek refuge in the mountains than to embark the vessel captained by a man of God.
The time for action is now! Will we join him in the quest for peace, or will we turn away? Let us rise together and safeguard our future. There is still time.
In his Friday Sermon, delivered on 22 November 2024, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, said:
“As everyone knows, the situation in Europe is rapidly moving towards war; the danger of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalating is increasing, and threats are being made to European and other countries as well.
“In any case, pray that Allah the Almighty keeps Ahmadis and other peace-loving people safe from the adverse effects of war, and that people do not use such weapons in warfare whose use would affect future generations.” (Friday Sermon, alhakam.org, 22 November 2024)
Let us pray and not forget the warnings of the past. To act on the above is protect ourselves from the travesty described below:
“Someday, not too distant, there can come streaking out of somewhere – we won’t be able to hear it, it will come so fast – some kind of gadget with an explosive so powerful that one projectile will be able to wipe out completely this city of Washington.” (US General of the Army Hap Arnold, 1943; Toward a Theory of Spacepower: Selected Essays, Chapter 19, p. 373)
Wake up! We are past midnight, and no one is turning back the clock.