..and an anti-missile takes it out, what happens to the nuke? Does it act like a dud and just fall to the earth? Go off and destroy life as we know it? Wondering minds want to know?

Idk probably depends on the way detonation is initiated.

Don't know, but Trump will take decisive action when Braindead get's out. The travesty is allowing Braindead to make any aggressive action before the transition.

I ain’t worried about it.

Me either.
Also, and I do not know any better than most folks here. If Russia is nuking Ukraine, then are we going to directly nuke Russia? Ukraine is not a NATO country, and to my knowledge, they also have no agreement to nuke Russia if they are nuking Ukraine.
Furthermore, if Russia does decide to nuke Ukraine, could they also nuke us at the same time? Seems like we would be able to defend an attack even easier if they are already shooting at Ukraine.

We will never intercept. The one thing Russia has the we don't have or a defense for are hypersonic cruise missiles. Our defense is designed to intercept a ballistic missile lobbing over the N. Pole, not a low-flying rocket at Mach 9.

Disagree about hypersonic cruise missile intercept capability. True most of our defense is dated, but don't discount some new initiatives. It's on the 'radar' of top leaders.

On the radar = a day late and a dollar short.

If the propulsion system is hit then it's likely the nuke wouldn't detonate, but it could cause radiation poisoning near the impact site wherever it landed.

I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to open that can of worms and launch one anyway.

ICBMs = We can't stop them. They travel at 22,000 fps. Even with a laser it would be like going dove hunting with a .22 on a windy day.

tactical nukes = not sure, but there are probably many types. Missile, hand delivered, in a car, boat, plane, cruise missile, drone, artillery shell, etc.