Night City Holocaust

The Night City Holocaust was a nuclear disaster that occurred prior to the events in Cyberpunk Red.

Background
On August 20, 2023, an incursion team led by Solo Morgan Blackhand and Rockerboy Johnny Silverhand attempted an infiltration mission to steal/destroy the Arasaka Secure Reliquary Database in the Arasaka Towers facility. During the assault, an area denial nuclear device, or "pocket nuke" was planned to be detonated in the building, with the planned area to absorb the impact of the blast and prevent massive destruction. However, due to interference by Arasaka and Adam Smasher, the nuclear device prematurely detonating on the 120th floor, 366 meters above the ground, destroying much of central Night City. Over a half million people are killed. Another quarter million die in the resulting aftermath.

In the public's eyes, the reasoning for the nuclear detonation is never uncovered. Some believe it was Militech's overzealous desire to crush Arasaka, while others believe it was an area denial weapon meant to protect the Arasaka Towers.

Within hours, then–US President Elizabeth Kress nationalized Militech through the expedience of their CEO, General Donald Lundee, and his reserve commission. Militech is placed thoroughly under the control of the still sizable United States military, and banished all Arasaka forces from the continental US under the threat of a retaliatory strike on Arasaka's Tokyo headquarters. Other nations swiftly followed the US's lead, nationalizing and/or interdicting assets of both participants of the War.