A few key points pertain, here.
- Israeli nukes can reach Russia. The distance between Jerusalem and Moscow is 2672 km.
“The maximum range estimation of the Jericho III is 11,500 km with a payload of 1000–1300 kg (up to six small nuclear warheads of 100 kt each or one 1 megaton nuclear warhead), and its accuracy is considered high.”
“The Jericho-II B missile is capable of sending a one ton nuclear payload 5,000 kilometers. The range of Israels' Jericho II B missiles is reportedly capable of being modified to carry nuclear warheads no heavier than 500 kg over 7,800 km, making it an ICBM.
“It is estimated that Israel has between 50 and 100 Jericho II B missiles based at facilities built in the 1980s. The number of Jericho III missiles that Israel possesses is unknown. “
Source: Nuclear weapons and Israel - Wikipedia
This means that in the exceptionally unlikely event of a Russian attack against Israel, that Russia would refrain from perpetrating a nuclear attack, per the likely to be followed doctrine of mutually assured destruction.
2. Russia and Israel have generally positive relations.
"Were Iran to attack Israel, Moscow would stand by the Jewish state’s side, a Russian official said this week, days after an Iranian-made drone infiltrated Israel from Syria and was shot down by the IDF.
“In the case of aggression against Israel, not only will the United States stand by Israel’s side — Russia, too, will be on Israel’s side,” Russian Deputy Ambassador to Israel Leonid Frolov said. “Many of our countrymen live here in Israel, and Israel in general is a friendly nation, and therefore we won’t allow any aggression against Israel.”
Source for image and text above: Russian official: If Iran attacks Israel, we’ll stand with you - Haaretz, April 30, 2018
3. The question’s premise is essentially backwards. It would be far more accurate to ask - “Would Russia sacrifice itself by nuking Israel, in view of Israel’s and the United States’ likely response?”
Putin gets it, per the following quote from 2006:
"Their [U.S.] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia's. This is what in defense is referred to as "their home — their fortress". And good for them, I say. Well done!
But this means that we also need to build our home and make it strong and well protected. We see, after all, what is going on in the world.
"The Comrade Wolf knows whom to eat, as the saying goes. It knows whom to eat and is not about to listen to anyone, it seems.""
~Vladimir Putin, on the United States
2006 annual address to the Federal Assembly
The U.S. is still, clearly, “Comrade Wolf” in terms of global military, economic and political power, and Israel is the “little (yet dangerous by itself) buddy” that Comrade Wolf protects at all times, in all possible ways.
Suffice it to say that Russia is as acutely aware of this as is any nation.
Source: Vladimir Putin - Wikiquote
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