How Likely Is an EMP Attack in 2025

by James Walton

On the 1000th day of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine US ATACMS were used to fire 6 missiles deep into Russia. Reporting out of Russia is, well, state filtered. We do know that two of the 6 missiles, shot nearly 70 miles into the nation, were shot down by Russian missile defense.

Before the launch, Vladimir Putin made it very clear that Ukraine’s use of these missiles would change the face of the war and the tactics used by the Russians. He even went as far as updating the Russian nuclear doctrine, again.

In September he made it very clear Russia will be ‘at war’ with NATO if Ukraine long-range missile restrictions lifted, Putin warns. (source: CNN)

“This will mean that NATO countries – the United States and European countries – are at war with Russia. And if this is the case, then, bearing in mind the change in the essence of the conflict, we will make appropriate decisions in response to the threats that will be posed to us.”

On the 1001st day of the conflict Russia answered by firing an ICBM at the city of Dnipro in Ukraine. This is the first ICBM attack by Russia.

Things have changed. They are going to continue to change rapidly. EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE at this point, including an EMP attack in 2025.

How an EMP Attack Could Happen in 2025

There are several ways that an EMP attack could happen in 2025.

Let’s not forget that an EMP attack does not have to be in the US.

There is a much better chance that Ukraine and even Poland could feel the effects of an EMP long before the mainland US.

Intentional EMP Attack

For over 10 years we have been aware of the fact that our enemies could detonate a nuclear weapon high above the United States and damage or destroy the three major power grids in the nation.

While an EMP could affect the entire country, not all states will experience the impact equally. Certain areas are more likely to be hit harder and faster. If you live in one of these red zones, you need to take extra precautions to protect your essential electronics. The closer you are to these potential targets, the more careful you need to be in ensuring your devices survive the initial shock and continue to function when you need them most.

An EMP attack means lights out and there is no telling when the grid could be repaired. We get a lot of our most important parts from China. What if the EMP came from China? That sounds like surrender to me.

A large nuclear detonation above a country or country would be an intentional large-scale EMP attack. This would not only be a devastating attack on infrastructure, but hundreds of millions would die in the months to come.

Residual EMP from Nuclear Strike

With Russia updating its nuclear doctrine we are one step closer to actual nuclear weapons being used on the planet.

Not since 1945 have we seen these weapons used in war.

Every nuclear weapon is going to have residual EMP effects.

If a tactical nuke is used in Ukraine there will be residual EMP effects on the surrounding city or town. The larger the yield of the nuclear weapon the larger the residual EMP effects.

All Out Nuclear War

Swathes of radiated wasteland, plumes of choking irradiated smoke, mutations, and sparse survivors, tend to make up our dark visions of world that has been nuked to oblivion. However, we do not often consider the effects of multiple EMPs blasting all over the planet.

Related: DIY EMP-Proof Projects You Need on Your Property Before It’s Too Late  (Video)

In this case the effects of the EMP will pale in comparison to the kinetic and radiological destruction of these detonations. Though there has been some evidence of solar flare-induced EMPs being linked to seismic activity.

In other words, the post-apocalyptic landscape might be a little shakier than you imagined.

Covert Asymmetric

There is another layer of warfare happening all around us, too.

Our enemies are hard at work in this nation.

There are masked people in riots, people sabotaging train tracks, legions of enemies crossing the southern border of the US and putting their plans in place.

Asymmetric warfare is occurring in our streets here and now. You could argue that fentanyl poisoning is an act of asymmetric warfare. If China was producing bombs that killed 100,000 Americans a year it would be war. Instead, they are poisoning us with fentanyl from the streets.

A small-scale covert asymmetric EMP attack could cripple a large city and turn it into Escape from New York. Don’t think our enemies are not contemplating such a chess move.

EMP Attack Indicators for 2025

There are several indicators that you can look out for when it comes to drastic military measures being taken, like nuclear war or EMP attacks. I am going to give you a list, but you might be unnerved by the fact that all these indicators are already blinking!

Rising geopolitical instability

• There have been major developments in the Russian-Ukraine war including the use of new weapons on both sides. In the last few days, we have seen ICBMs from Russia and Long-Range strikes using allied weapons in Ukraine.
• The preparedness level and military posture of the Nordic nations has increased in recent days.

Increased military activity, deployments, or exercises in tense regions

• The Russians now have 11,000 North Korean soldiers defending their homeland and fighting Ukrainians.
• On November 14th NATO wrapped up its first large-scale military exercise in Latvia.

Heightened rhetoric and breakdowns of diplomatic channels

• America is a headless nation at this point, and no one has sat down with Vladimir Putin in years. However, both sides have increased their threats, red lines, and promises, which has only made things worse.

Testing and deployment of EMP-capable weapons like nuclear weapons

• Russia launched the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile at Ukraine just days ago. They claimed this was a hypersonic missile, but one thing is for sure, it has many warheads and is nuclear-capable. Meaning it is also capable of delivering a
  residual EMP attack.

The United States and its allies have several enemies who are capable of conducting an EMP attack. With each passing year the technology improves, militaries become more capable, and the likelihood of an attack rises and rises.

The situation in Eastern Europe, between Russia and NATO, could lead to nuclear war. It could lead to a war of hypersonic missiles and satellite railguns. Those are the big scary thoughts. However, it could also lead to sabotage and more asymmetric warfare here in the States.

How prepared are you to live off the grid for an extended period of time? If an EMP attack does occur in 2025, can you make water safe to drink? Can you cook? Can you protect what is most important to you? This is the test of a prepper.

One essential step you can take right now is to EMP-proof your critical survival items. A versatile tool for this is the EMP-proof cloth—a lightweight, conductive fabric designed to shield electronics from the devastating effects of an EMP.

Unlike traditional Faraday cages, this cloth is flexible, portable, and can be used to wrap devices or create custom protective barriers. It’s not always easy to find, as production is limited, but it’s worth securing yours from here while you can. It’s a rare find and not many people get to own it, which is a shame.