In the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, both countries aimed to build the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons for defense purposes. This rivalry led to numerous nuclear device tests conducted by both nations. Before the era of atmospheric nuclear tests ended, one weapon stood out among the rest: the Tsar Bomba.

During the early 1960s, tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union were exceptionally high. To demonstrate their strength, the Soviets developed various nuclear weapons, including the largest one which was detonated on October 30, 1961. This three-stage hydrogen bomb utilized an atomic fission bomb to initiate the detonation process. The fusion process then took place, resulting in a significantly greater yield. The Tsar Bomba had a yield of 50 megatons, although modifications were made to limit its power. If not for the use of lead instead of uranium in certain parts, its yield could have reached 100 megatons.