Vladimir Putin: US issued fresh warning not to ignore his nuclear threats, 'it is certainly not impossible'

A recent report has warned of the dangers of the Kremlin’s ‘hysterical rhetoric’ as it explores the likelihood of nuclear weapons being used by Russia. The study fears that Vladimir Putin’s volatile state of mind could drive him to use nuclear, biological and chemical weapons as the risk of escalation increases.

The report claims that Putin’s ‘martyr complex’ could cause the Russian president to 'make one of the most fateful decisions of the century' as the long and bloody war in Ukraine continues to ravage both sides.

Risk of Russia using nuclear weapons

The study published by the US think tank Heritage Foundation is titled 'The US and its Allies Must Understand and Respond to Russia’s Nuclear Threats'. It highlights some of the risks of nuclear escalation as the Kremlin has worked itself 'into a state of near hysteria' about the perceived threat of NATO.

Since Putin invaded Ukraine, there has been frequent talk about the potential of nuclear weapons being used and the rhetoric has continued to escalate in recent months. The report seeks to explore the probability of their use and what the West can do to prevent it.

It is believed Russian generals had discussed the use of tactical nuclear weapons in November, but were cautious about the use of long-range weapons. However, the rhetoric has since changed somewhat, as per Heritage Foundation:

It appears to now accept tactical and strategic nuclear weapons as an option for deterring further escalation of combat.

Russian use of nuclear weapons may be unlikely, but it is certainly not impossible, and the best way of lowering the chance of such use is to take Russian threats at face value, to engineer scenarios backwards, and to figure out how to prevent their use.

The report goes on to describe four situations in which Putin could potentially use nuclear weapons:

1. pre-empting an attack on Russia
2. use against Russia
3. a threat, such as a cyberattack on Russia’s command-and-control systems
4. and an existential threat to Russia from conventional or nuclear weapons.

Read more:

⋙ Vladimir Putin’s elaborate plan to take over this country revealed

⋙ Vladimir Putin may be forced out of power as Russian diplomat reveals he 'can be replaced'

Plan of action for the West

The report claims that the US and its NATO allies should reassure the public that they are aware of the threat of nuclear weapons and stop regarding them as simply a bluff.

Some of the measures that the US and its allies are recommended to take to deter Russia from using nuclear weapons include, as per Heritage Foundation:

• Ensuring that the Kremlin understands that any use will elicit an overwhelming conventional response that would severely downgrade Russian forces and the elites serving Putin.
• Ensure that any use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia is met by a robust Western and global response that is calibrated, relies on conventional weapons, and is informed by an understanding of Russian behavior and thinking.
• Engage in diplomacy to ensure that Russia’s potential allies in the developed and developing world inform Russia of the unacceptability of using nuclear weapons.
• Develop and roll out a comprehensive monitoring system to prepare for either military or civilian nuclear release and contamination.
• Maintain medical stockpiles, such as of potassium iodide, and supplies of personal protective equipment.
• Keep channels of communication with Moscow open, even if the Kremlin is not responsive.

The report comes as tensions continue to rise after footage purporting to show Russian fighter jets crashing into a US drone was recently released. Russia denied its Su-27 fighter jet clipped the propeller of the drone with Russian Ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, claiming the drone had ‘violated boundaries of the temporary airspace regime established for the special military operation’, as per the BBC.

Read more:

⋙ Vladimir Putin accused of being behind the mysterious deaths of 39 Russian elites

Sources used:

- Daily Mail 'Putin's 'martyr complex' is so out of control there is a real risk he will make 'the most fateful decision of the century' and unleash nuclear weapons, think-tank warns'

- Heritage Foundation 'The U.S. and Its Allies Must Understand and Respond to Russia’s Nuclear Threats'

- BBC 'Video shows moment Russian fighter jet hits US drone over Black Sea'