The guards of the Doomsday Clock or the Hour of the Apocalypse are closely watching the development of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Science and Security Council Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, the scientists behind the Apocalypse Clock, will meet this week to analyze the situation in Ukraine.
"Our Science and Security Council will meet this week and continue to evaluate the ongoing crisis," said Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
The Apocalypse Clock is a symbolic clock that represents the possible risk of a man-made global catastrophe. This symbol has been maintained since 1947 by members of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists at the University of Chicago, United States.
At the beginning of every year, scientists reset the Apocalypse Clock. On January 20, 2022, the result of the Doomsday Clock reset is still the same as the previous year, which is 100 seconds to midnight which symbolizes destruction. With the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, the seconds of the Hour of Doomsday could turn even more critical.
"We are referring to the precarious situation in Ukraine. We have also repeatedly reported the danger of an unintended escalation because the military posture and investment, together with political statements, is increasing the likelihood of the use of nuclear weapons. This is what was predicted in advance with the symbol 100 seconds to midnight. It's dangerous and unstable," Bronson said.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has so far not revealed whether the hands of the Apocalypse Clock will be moved closer to midnight after their meeting. We still have to wait for the outcome of the meeting.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 'special military operation' in Ukraine in the early hours of February 24, 2022. Western countries responded by imposing sanctions on Russia.
The attacks by Russia since then have claimed hundreds of lives. Ukrainians tried to survive and put up a fight, while others were forced to flee and evacuate themselves and their families.