Fear of nuclear war heightens demand for bunkers in Europe

• Several people across Europe have been “freaking out” amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to companies specializing in protective shelters.
• Companies in Switzerland, Germany, France, the U.K., and even in the U.S. have reported record demand for nuclear bunkers.
• Russia has previously brought up the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons, but U.S. officials said that there is no serious threat despite Russian rhetoric.

As Russia continues its war with Ukraine, residents in Europe are fearing it could spread into other countries and go nuclear, driving up demand for bunkers and bomb shelters.

Russia has previously brought up the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons to ward off further support to Ukraine.

According to Claus Haglund from Bühler GmbH, a Swiss firm that installs and repairs bunkers, several people “were really scared and wanted immediate help” in buying, building, or repairing bunkers since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24.

Another specialized basement construction firm in the U.K. told The Telegraph that inquiries for shelters spiked to 100 percent compared to this time last year.

A similar surge in demand was also seen in Germany. Mario Piejde, the CEO of the German company BSSD, told the news outlet that they’ve been receiving over 1,000 calls per day for about six weeks now. “People are freaking out,” he said.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said earlier this month that the German government would start investing money into strengthening its shelters and stocking up on resources. They are also looking into upgrading underground parking lots, subway stations, and basements into possible shelters. Currently, there are 599 public shelters in the country.

U.S.-based companies also reported a similar increase in demand for underground shelters.

When Russia started its invasion of Ukraine, it placed its nation’s nuclear forces on “special combat readiness.” More recently, it conducted a test launch of its nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic Sarmat missile, as a warning to foreign adversaries against continued interference in its war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “If someone intends to intervene on what is happening from the outside and creates unacceptable strategic threats for us, then they should know that our response to oncoming strikes will be swift, lightning-fast. We have all the tools for this — we will use them if needed — and I want everyone to know this.”

This week, a Russian news program promoted the prospect of expanding the war across “Europe and the world,” with one guest suggesting the deployment of nuclear weapons against the U.K. for supporting Ukraine.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. defense official tried to ease fears and said that there is no serious threat of Russia deploying nuclear weapons despite their rhetoric.

The official, who chose to remain anonymous, said, “We continue to monitor their nuclear capabilities every day the best we can and we do not assess that there is a threat of the use of nuclear weapons and no threat to NATO territory.”

Source: Newsweek