It's a set of machines which, in the event of all Russian command being killed or cut off, will commence with nuclear launch. There are humans in the loop, but

It's a set of machines which, in the event of all Russian command being killed or cut off, will commence with nuclear launch. There are humans in the loop, but it's designed to account for the possibility of humans being neutralized. It's the "assurance" part of mutually assured destruction. According to Russian leadership, it serves as more of an organizational ideal which their military uses in consideration of strategy. It was still in operation as of 2018, but hasn't been confirmed or denied in public since (Dead Hand. )