In naval terminology, a destroyer (French: "contre-torpilleur", German: "Zerstörer", Spanish: "destructor", Italian: "cacciatorpediniere", Russian: Esminets (Escadrilny minonosets) - is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines and aircraft). At the beginning of the 21st century, destroyers are the heaviest surface combatants in general use, with only two nations (the United States and Russia) operating cruisers and none operating battleships.[1] Modern destroyers are equivalent in tonnage and drastically superior in firepower to cruisers of the World War II era, capable of carrying nuclear missiles able to destroy cities in a very small volley.