They haven't done much extra in response to attacks on Crimea or Belgorod yet, the latter of which is indisputably within Russia, so hopefully this is a nothing gesture too.
Well, that is true, but, with winter coming I think the Russians are very keen to end the war and this is part of an unfolding gambit to do so. That will be a combination of diplomacy and force.
But слон в комнате is do the Ivans actually have any operable nukes? The state of the maintenance of their materiel in Ukraine has been non-existent, coupled with the endemic corruption and theft in all levels of Russian society (especially the military) appears to indicate that the odds of their being a workable nuclear device and a functioning delivery system (both of which are precision devices requiring continual monitoring and maintenance) are not great. The 'Red Army' has shown it's pretty pants when facing a near peer foe, its Airforce non-existent in the Ukrainian battlespace and the once proud (and previously lavishly funded) Navy has been tamed by a nation that doesn't actually have a functioning navy.
'Confusion will be my epitaph'? Knowledge is a deadly friend When no-one sets the rules. The fate of all mankind I fear Is in the hands of fools.
It appears that nuclear war has been shelved because most countries are doing a solid job of destroying themselves.
It looks as though Lyman is about to fall to the Ukrainians. I nice present for Putin on Unification Day.
If their nukes are as well maintained as their vehicles, they'd be more likely to nuke themselves than their target in the event of a launch.
I wouldnt worry too much about it, it will never happen. Things will get darker but stay positive as I and many others know/believe that this is probably the best time to be alive and a part of the human race, all will be revealed next year, stay strong.