On 25 January 1995, Russia came perilously close to launching a nuclear strike after its early warning systems mistook a Norwegian research rocket for an incoming US missile. The rocket, launched to study the aurora borealis, resembled the trajectory of a potential missile attack, triggering high-level alerts in Russia's defense systems.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin, along with senior military officials, activated the nuclear briefcase, a rare move signaling preparations for a possible retaliatory strike. However, after intense scrutiny, officials determined the rocket posed no threat, averting a catastrophic escalation.
This incident highlighted the dangers of miscommunication during the nuclear arms race and underscored the importance of robust international notification systems to prevent similar crises.
