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What happens if one does hit the land, whether intentional or not? It seems inevitable with that frequency. What would the response be?


If it's an accident? An apology, maybe.

If it damages something or someone? If relations between the two countries are not completely wretched, usually a bunch of arguing, and small reparations [1][2].

If they are completely wretched, or there's some other concern at play, usually nothing [3]. The victim country is free to apply whatever sanctions it sees fit.

These sorts of questions are not settled in a framework of legality, as much as they are settled in a framework of power, and willingness to escalate. Escalating against a nuclear sovereign is often a bad idea.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosmos_954

> For the recovery efforts, the Canadian government billed the Soviet Union Can$6,041,174.70 for expenses and additional compensation for future unpredicted expenses; the USSR eventually paid Can$3 million.

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655

> As part of the settlement, even though the U.S. government did not admit legal liability or formally apologize to Iran, it agreed to pay US$61.8 million on an ex gratia basis in compensation to the families of the Iranian victims

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Air_Lines_Flight_007

> The Soviet government expressed regret over the loss of life, but offered no apology and did not respond to demands for compensation.


Let’s hope we never find out.


This happened when a Ukraine's missile hit Poland by mistake and killed I think 2 people.

Initially Ukraine said it was Russia, and the story wound down when evidence pointed to Ukraine. I do not think there were any apology (but I am not sure, I know about that because a friend of mine was nearby the hit (at a safe distance, but still))


Nothing I guess ?




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