What to do in case of a nuclear attack on Belgium or Europe

What to do in the event of a nuclear attack on Europe, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany. Which Belgian cities are likely to be destroyed. How can I survive a nuclear attack or accident. Manual, emergency kits, and prepping?

Due to Russia’s weekly threats to attack Belgium or Europe with nuclear weapons, the question is rightly being asked: to what extent are the Belgian and European populations prepared for a nuclear attack by the Russians?

How realistic is a nuclear attack?

Mutual nuclear deterrence worked for years, until recently, when we faced a Russian dictator willing to sacrifice many civilians to achieve his goal. The high number of casualties in the war in Ukraine is an example of this. For Western Europe, the use of nuclear weapons is a fairly unthinkable scenario; however, for a Russian dictator, nuclear weapons are merely a larger bomb available in his military arsenal. Mutual deterrence has lost some of its power if the opponent is willing to absorb a nuclear retaliation.

Which nuclear bomb could strike us?

Academics frequently point out that modern nuclear bombs are extremely powerful and that they could wipe small European countries off the map, but there are several other nuclear weapons that could also be used.

A nuclear EMP weapon (Electromagnetic Pulse) is detonated at a high altitude, also known as high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP), causing an electromagnetic disturbance that burns out all electrical components in the vicinity. The entire electrical network would then be completely destroyed in one fell swoop, causing various other systems to fail as well, such as: hospitals, water purification, factories, all transport, agricultural machinery, … up to nuclear power plants. Repairing all burnt-out electric motors, transformers, and electrical controls could take months. Electricity, gas, and water could be out for months in such scenarios.

A nuclear torpedo (Poseidon) can be detonated underwater off the coast, causing a tsunami of radioactive water that could flood the coastline. The effect of such a nuclear underwater explosion depends on several factors, but given that the North Sea off the Belgian coast is quite shallow, the tidal wave would be rather limited but could ultimately still flood large parts of West Flanders and Antwerp.

A nuclear submarine with small tactical nuclear weapons (low-yield tactical nuclear weapons) or tactical nuclear missiles is currently the most realistic threat to European countries bordering the North Sea.

The Russian first-strike solution (preventive strike)

The strategic nuclear weapons in Europe are located quite close to one another, and if the Russians were to decide to take out European nuclear capability first, it is quite predictable that a Russian nuclear submarine would enter the North Sea and fire its cargo of tactical nuclear missiles at the RAF Lakenheath airbase in England, the Volkel airbase in the Netherlands, and the Kleine-Brogel airbase in Belgium, as well as at all the major airports, capitals, and military installations of these three countries. There is a very high probability that America will not strike back with nuclear weapons as long as American territory is not attacked. As a result, the majority of the European Union would be forced to surrender.

France is completely independent with a much larger nuclear arsenal than the other European countries. France is considerably larger and harder to attack than the small European countries. France is the only European nuclear power that could carry out a counterattack without American approval. A nuclear attack on French territory would therefore result in a French nuclear counterattack on Russian territory.

England has its own independent nuclear weapons, which are primarily based on the American Trident ballistic nuclear missiles that can be fired by the English submarine fleet. In principle, England could decide for itself, but it has a very close partnership with the United States.

Germany and Belgium also possess nuclear weapons but cannot deploy them without American approval. Germany is quite large, and a nuclear attack with tactical nuclear weapons from the sea could only reach part of Germany. By land, Germany is harder to hit. Belgium currently has no air defense and is an easy target. New acquisitions could strengthen Belgian air defense within two years.

America calls the NATO nuclear umbrella a "Cold War relic". The European illusion that America would start a nuclear war against the Russians to protect Europe is now beginning to dawn on Europe as well. Europe is already working on its own European nuclear deterrent based on French and English nuclear weapons.

Limited destruction of European territory

Tactical nuclear weapons are considerably weaker than the old, well-known heavy atomic bombs, and the destruction will be limited more to a city or major infrastructure and a peripheral zone with nuclear fallout. Several areas in Europe will not be affected by the explosions of tactical nuclear weapons.

Predictable targets in Belgium

Various Belgian cities or military installations could be chosen as targets by the Russians. We only provide the most obvious ones ...

The destroyed cities in Belgium

The location of the predictable military targets for a tactical nuclear attack by the Russians can be divided into three major axes.

- The strategic North Sea axis of ports and airfields along the coast, with the most important cities being Zeebrugge (seaport), Oostende (seaport and airport), and Koksijde (military airbase).

- The central Belgian axis with the most important cities being Antwerp (Seaport and Deurne airport), Brussels (NATO headquarters and Zaventem airport), Mons (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), Charleroi (airport), and Florennes (military airbase)

- The military strategic axis with the most important cities being Peer (Kleine-Brogel military airbase), Zutendaal (FN munitions production), Liege (FN-Herstal weapon production and airport)

What to do during the detonation of a tactical nuclear weapon?

Do not look at the flash of the nuclear explosion!

Secondary injuries!

Experts point to the large number of secondary injuries that occur as a result of the light flash. Secondary injuries are injuries caused by the sudden bright flash of a nuclear explosion. For example, consider a highway where everyone suddenly becomes blind, resulting in a chain reaction accident stretching for kilometers.

Forest fires!

The heat causes large forest fires. Make sure there is an FFP3 filter in your emergency kit, and possibly dust goggles.

Try to find shelter as soon as possible!

If you already know in advance that you cannot find shelter within 15 minutes, ensure that you have a Geiger counter and an NBC suit with a gas mask in your emergency kit. Nuclear, Chemical, Biological, and Radioactive protective clothing and other resources are then a must for walking around in a contaminated area for an extended period. The Geiger counter can then warn you whether nuclear fallout is present.

The nuclear fallout

Despite the fact that smaller nuclear weapons are more likely to be used, there will still be severe nuclear fallout resulting from the explosions of tactical nuclear weapons, which will depend largely on wind direction and wind speed.

After the nuclear explosion, seek shelter as quickly as possible! It is generally assumed that 15 minutes after the nuclear explosion, the nuclear fallout reaches the ground! The risk of radiation exposure decreases by 55% 1 hour after the nuclear detonation, and after 24 hours, the risk of radiation exposure decreases by up to 80%. Only after 24 hours can one consider moving to another, safer shelter. If possible, remain in your shelter for up to 48 hours after the nuclear detonation.

The wind on the coast blows along the coastline, with the result that the entire coastal strip can become a victim of nuclear fallout.

For the military strategic targets inland, the wind direction is unpredictable, and the nuclear fallout can spread in all directions.

We also mention Lille because a hit by a nuclear missile there could also cause nuclear fallout in Belgium.

The best chance for a habitable zone after a nuclear attack

The destruction of several cities in Europe and Belgium will be rather limited in the event of the use of tactical nuclear weapons, leaving several habitable zones remaining. It is therefore of great importance for the affected cities to be prepared for nuclear fallout and to be well-informed about where or when transport to the habitable zones will be organized!

How to protect yourself during a nuclear attack on Belgium

1) Create a plan and do the necessary prepping.

Several European countries already have plans ready for what must be done in the event of a nuclear attack. Countries bordering Russia are, of course, the most advanced in this. Germany has also already drawn up a plan. The Netherlands already advises the population to have an emergency kit; in Belgium, emergency plans are currently limited to an old Federal emergency plan from 1991 and the current provision of iodine tablets. There is now also a page online at the National Crisis Center about emergency kits in Belgium.

If you want to survive a nuclear attack as an individual, you will have to create your own survival plan depending on where you spend most of your time, where you live, and how safe your home is!

- If you work or spend a lot of time in one of the nuclear fallout zones, you best ensure that you have at least a 24-hour survival kit at hand (or in the car).

- If you live in a nuclear fallout zone, you best ensure that you have a three-day or 72-hour portable survival kit ready.

- If you live in a habitable zone after a nuclear attack, you best ensure that you have sufficient water and food available to survive for at least 10 days without internet, electricity, gas, and tap water.

2) Communication and situational awareness.

- Be aware if you spend time or live in a military strategic zone that could become the target of a tactical nuclear attack.

- Ensure that in the event of a real threat of nuclear weapons, you have a smartphone or emergency radio with you so that you can follow the latest reports and advice from the government. As long as no nuclear detonation has occurred, there is a very high probability that phone and internet will still work. Ensure you know what an EMP and a Faraday cage is; it will help you understand the situation, prevent panic, and have solutions ready.

- If there is a real threat of nuclear weapons, a shelter plan will most likely be drawn up by the government for each municipality, city, or province.

- Ensure that you have such a shelter plan included with your 72-hour survival kit / emergency kit. It is vital to shelter inside a building for the first 24 hours after a nuclear explosion. The rule is, the more protected by concrete or underground, the better! (atomic shelter, metro, underground parking, basement). Be aware that all windows in buildings will break up to 20 kilometers away from the nuclear explosion and that glass shards can cause serious injuries. An apartment building with windows offers very little protection if it is in the vicinity of the nuclear detonation. Provide a first aid kit specifically equipped to treat cuts.

- Ensure that you have your emergency kit or survival kit within reach and that you can quickly take it with you if you have to run to a shelter. After the nuclear detonation, you only have 15 minutes before the nuclear fallout falls to the ground. Ensure you have everything with you to survive the first 24 hours or more after the nuclear explosion or accident in a closed space.

72-hour personal survival belt

3) What is best to put in your 24-hour survival kit?

Link to Emergency Kits Belgium

Your 24-hour survival kit can be packed into a small backpack, gym bag, survival belt, or insulated thermal bag. The purpose of a 24-hour survival kit is to enable you to survive for 24 hours, either in a shelter or while on the move, to reach your home or a safe location. (This could be during a major traffic jam or on foot if all transport services have failed). In a medium-sized backpack, you can easily pack items to survive for 72 hours.

- Ensure you can store some personal items such as keys, some extra cash, bank cards, ID card, etc.

- Make sure you have sturdy, tightly sealed water bottles, a canteen, or emergency ration water with at least 2 liters. Emergency ration water pouches are soft and more comfortable to carry in a backpack than hard water bottles. As an extra, you can bring a compact water filter and water purification tablets.

- Ensure you have some canned food that you can eat immediately without cooking to survive the first 24 hours. Mixed foods like canned tuna with vegetables or something else you can eat cold and quickly. (Shelf life of at least 3 years). Only bring survival biscuits as an extra. Also useful are long-life emergency food that can keep you alive even if you haven't looked at your emergency kit for years. Make sure you have a can opener or a cutlery set with knife, spoon, and fork. A multitool or Swiss army knife can also be useful.

- Ensure you have a decent first aid kit so you can treat life-threatening injuries for several days. (Pressure bandage, tourniquet, standard first aid kit, ...

- Ensure protection against the elements such as rain, cold, or harsh sun; poncho, poncho liner, emergency blanket, emergency poncho or emergency sleeping bag, UV protection.

- Ensure you can communicate and navigate. Whistle, lights to call for help, or a map, compass, and binoculars to find the safe direction.

4) What should you best put in your 3-day or 72-hour survival kit?

Buy 3-day survival kit here

A 3-day survival kit is a backpack, carrying bag, suitcase, or trolley with a capacity of at least 35L or more, in which one can store enough goods to survive for 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind that after a nuclear explosion, most vehicles or machines (radio) that contain an electromagnetic coil will no longer work. This 3-day survival kit can be used in the nuclear fallout zone with the goal of reaching the survival zone under your own power. Among the many pieces of advice for emergency kits, you must remain objective so that you choose an emergency kit that you can actually carry! Remember, 1 liter of water weighs 1 kg. 1 can of fruit of 1 liter weighs even more than 1 kg.

- A medium-sized tactical backpack with MOLLE webbing is very interesting because you can attach extra pouches to the outside. In these extra pouches, you can store goods by category, and they are accessible without having to open the entire backpack every time for every small item you need.

- Ensure you have a survival belt with pouches containing the most important items to survive if you lose your emergency backpack. (Water, food, light, small emergency radio, and poncho as shelter from the rain, first aid kit, pocket knife or multitool and small survival set). Buy survival belt here. Ensure a cross-distribution of equipment between your survival belt and emergency backpack.

- Make sure you have a few firmly sealed water bottles, cans, or water pouches with a minimum of 6 to 8 liters. 6 liters of emergency ration water pouches are feasible in a backpack and provide a practical weight distribution with food and other survival items. Surface water cannot yet be used, but a water filter and water purification tablets can be useful if you want to use water from enclosed water reservoirs.

- Ensure you have a few cans or pouches of food to survive for 3 to 4 days. Meat, fish, vegetables, or canned fruit. (Shelf life of at least 3 years). Make sure you can eat varied meals! A small camping stove, gas burner, and a cook set can help you heat or cook rice, spaghetti, or canned food. Ensure you have fire, fuel, or a spare gas cartridge. (A glass jar with food can break easily). A cup of hot coffee or tea can give your mood a boost during an emergency!

- Survival biscuits or emergency ration food sufficient for 3 days are long-lasting and take up little space in your backpack. They can be used as an extra supplement to the diet so that you can eat in a varied way.

- Make sure you have a can opener, knife, spoon, and fork with you. A multitool or Swiss army knife can be very useful in case of emergency. Better yet, have a small technical kit with scissors, needle and thread, sturdy pliers, some small screwdrivers, Allen keys, and a small adjustable wrench to perform minor repairs or technical interventions. A whistle, various types of light sources, a mirror to signal for help, a compass, and a map of your region. A dust mask and goggles when walking outside. Protective NBC clothing and a gas mask with NBC filters can significantly increase your chances of survival.

- Ensure a decent first aid kit to treat cuts from glass or fractures when falling, and restock for several days. Take a week's supply of your medication if you need to take it daily. Ensure you have iodine tablets. Possibly a (cheap) spare pair of glasses.

- Ensure an emergency radio with flashlight, XL solar panel, dynamo, power bank and batteries, so you can follow the news if the phone and internet fail. (Ensure you have a charging cable that fits your smartphone). Protect your electronic devices against the electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Wrap your radio, phone, or walkie-talkie in a plastic bag, wrap it in aluminum foil, and ensure the antenna does not touch the aluminum foil (create a Faraday cage). There are also special anti-radiation blankets.

- When you have to flee on foot to a safe zone, you will need more than an emergency kit proposed by the government. A large backpack or a duffle bag on wheels can better contain the necessary items to make a long hike. Actually, you need a full trekking backpack.

- Provide spare clothing and store it in a dust- and waterproof bag. Products for your personal hygiene, spare underwear, socks, T-shirt, sweater, hoodie, tracksuit, thick trousers, thick sweater, hat, handkerchief, raincoat, or poncho. Fire-retardant and cut-resistant clothing are extra protection. A toiletry bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, razor, aftershave, toilet paper, etc. (small models don't take up much space).

- Provide cash money and a copy of your ID and driver's license. A card with your allergy and blood type.

- Provide an insulating mat to sleep on, an insulating blanket, poncho liner, or an emergency sleeping bag to keep you warm. An inflatable pillow to prevent neck complaints.

- A shopping trolley can be equipped with a tent, a small chair, some camping equipment, and some extra food or water that you can then use in a tent camp or refugee shelter.

Provide an emergency backpack for every person in your family so that if you are separated, each person still has their own basic survival equipment at hand. There are also small backpacks for children.

6) What to store as stock to survive for 10 days?

If you live in one of the livable zones after a nuclear attack, your immediate survival chances are much greater, but you still need to consider the consequences of light nuclear fallout and the practical consequences of the destruction of large parts of the country, total chaos, refugee flow, rationing, aggression, and a shortage of everything!

- Make sure you have a 3-day or 72-hour emergency kit ready as described above in case of emergency. Keep a little extra of everything in reserve in your home.

- Ensure that at least 20 liters of drinking water are in reserve in firmly sealed bottles and possibly a 20L jerrycan with tap water for washing or cooking. If you can, fill your bathtub with water if there is a real nuclear threat. Anyone who has a hot water boiler has a large reserve of drinking water even without electricity or tap water. Make sure you know how to drain your hot water boiler to get to the drinking water. A water filter and water purification tablets can be useful for closed water reservoirs.

- Ensure food to survive for at least 10 days and make sure you don't have to eat the same thing every day! Build up your stock of cans sporadically by bringing extra cans every time you do your grocery shopping. Store these cans in a safe place and replace them after a year with fresh cans.

Stock up on shelf-stable food.

• Pay attention to your freezer if the power goes out and eat what can still be saved.
• Instant rice, pasta, baking flour, powdered milk, salt, and various herbs/spices.
• Sugar, honey, chocolate.
• Dried vegetables and fruit.
• Canned food that you enjoy eating. Taste them beforehand and sporadically build a stock of products that you buy regularly.
• Your favorite drink, candy, or hard liquor as a throat disinfectant or antidepressant to maintain good morale. You can use cigarettes and coffee as trade items. A deck of cards or chessboard against boredom.
• Ensure you have some sturdy plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal gaps and any broken windows. Close all windows and doors and switch off the ventilation system. Provide gas cooking equipment for indoor use or a BBQ for outdoors.

A war emergency kit differs from the general emergency kit proposed by the government. The war emergency kit contains more items that are useful as personal protection against aggression or injury.

Anti-armed drone attack emergency kit with shatterproof vest and helmet

- Ensure your home is securely locked. Make sure you are provided with safety equipment: gloves, cut-resistant clothing, discreet stab and bulletproof vest, helmet, plate carrier class 4. There will be chaos and aggression, such as attempted burglary and looting.

- Ensure your safety! Do not tell anyone what stock you have in your house! Be discreet and avoid fights or an armed incident. Even a small injury can be fatal if no medical help or medication is available.

- We cannot speak about weapons. Firearm ownership is determined by Belgian arms legislation. The fact is that there is an increase in the number of weapon owners who legally own a weapon and are members of a shooting club.

- Provide a Faraday cage to store all your electrical appliances in. A steel cage, metal storage cabinet, or shell that is grounded to the earth, where you can store your computer, emergency radio, walkie-talkies, generator, and other electrical devices. Do not throw away your old freezer with a steel shell; use it as a grounded Faraday cage and storage cabinet.

- Provide an extensive and solid first aid kit or ensure you have a double one, or at least one for every person in the house, to treat cuts from glass, fractures from falling, stab wounds, and gunshot wounds for at least 10 days. The content depends on your knowledge of first aid. This can range from a simple first aid bag for those who know almost nothing about it, a larger first aid kit for someone who has followed the Red Cross first aid courses, to a tactical IFAK first aid kit for use on the battlefield.

- Ensure a month's supply of your medications if you have to take them daily.

Such survival planning can significantly increase your chances of survival, but also makes it painfully clear that a nuclear incident or attack is not entirely excluded!

If the unthinkable does happen, for the victims, this will become doomsday prepping, with stays in overcrowded and closed cellars with little ventilation, no possibility to use candles, or to make a fire to cook food!

Also read Third World War impending: nuclear attack war in Belgium