The Soviet Union and China battle against each other for Zhenbao Island.

Get this: From what I’ve heard, the USSR even seriously considered nuking China.

Over a fucking island.

I get that Sino-Soviet relations were shit, but how the fuck was it so bad that the Soviet Union wanted to fucking drop a nuke?

Especially since, by this point, China already had nukes, and most likely they would retaliate, risking the end of humanity. Especially if the United States got involved, which they threatened to do.

Can somebody explain to me why the hell this whole situation was even able to happen?