Why I say confirmed our launch is there have been at least one close call on each side. One I remember the details of one was the USSR Officer in charge, Stanislav Petrov, over-rode the information from the radar and 40 years ago, on 26 September 1983, he saved from potential nuclear disaster.

When discussing this with some peers the consensus was that the would have to sound the alarm. Especially now, since it is unlikely a first strike would take out all cities [count on Russian duds], so the survivors would blame the bunker buddies (the higher people, ala Dr Strangelove)