In China Putin staff seen carrying nuclear briefcase

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Nuclear energy

Context: In China Putin staff are seen carrying nuclear briefcases.

More about the news:

Russian President Vladimir Putin was recently spotted with officers carrying a mysterious “nuclear briefcase” during his visit to China.
After a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a video showed Putin walking with two Russian naval officers, and one of the officers is presumed to be carrying the enigmatic “nuclear briefcase,” which has been a subject of intrigue.

What is the ‘nuclear briefcase’

The “Cheget,” also known as the nuclear briefcase, is a crucial element of the system responsible for authorizing nuclear strikes in Russia.
It serves as a secure communication tool for transmitting orders for a nuclear attack to the country’s rocket forces.
The communication network used for this purpose is called “Kazbek,” and it supports another system called “Kavkaz.”
In addition to the Russian President, the Defence Minister and the Chief of General Staff each possess a briefcase.
In the event of a possible order to launch a nuclear strike, these three individuals are expected to coordinate their actions. The President even carries the briefcase during foreign visits.

Has the nuclear briefcase ever come close to being used:

These briefcases were developed during the final phase of the Cold War in the early 1980s to enable remote command and reduce reaction time to potential nuclear threats.
The incident in 1995 involved Russian officers mistaking an aeronautical research rocket for a hostile American missile off Norway’s coast.
This led to a high alert, and the nuclear briefcases were given to Russian leaders to plan a response.
Fortunately, it was soon realized that the rocket was not a threat, and the crisis was resolved within minutes.
This incident represents the only known instance of a nuclear briefcase being used in a crisis.

Do other countries have such a briefcase:

The American President’s equivalent of the Russian nuclear briefcase, known as the Presidential Emergency Satchel or “football.”
This nickname originated from a 1960s mission called “Dropkick.”
It was introduced during the Cold War era to ensure quick verification of orders for a nuclear strike.
The football contains information on retaliatory options, a classified site locations book, and a card with authentication codes, known as the “biscuit.” Through the biscuit, the President can authorize a nuclear attack, which is then executed by the military. The Vice President also has a similar briefcase in case the President is unable to act.
In 2021, concerns were raised about the safety protocols surrounding the football, particularly after the January 2021 riots at the US Capitol. The Vice President’s football was in proximity to the commotion during this event.