It’s like a 1983 remix, but, following the annexation of the four areas of Ukraine, the prospect grows nearer. Russia has said it will use any means necessary to defend its territory and that now means lots of what was Eastern Ukraine. I think this is worthy of a sub debate to the Ukraine thread and in no way is an invitation to simply post videos of your favourite songs about nuclear war.
Possible but still very remote, less than 5% chance. Although I grew up in the glorious post Cold War era where the chance was less than 1% so that is still unsettling. The nuclear threats are currently just a gambit to dissuade Western support (which isn’t working). There are still many steps that would need to happen for the nukes to fly. If anyone is seeking comfort on this matter, Russia’s military budget is less than 5% that of the US alone, let alone the rest of NATO. Nuclear weapons are incredibly expensive to maintain and there is logically no chance Russia can have afforded to maintain all but a small amount. Indeed the performance of Russia’s conventional military makes it seem a stretch to think they could cause serious damage. Russia could land a few bombs, no doubt. But NATO could erase Russia from the planet in 30 minutes. The only surviving Russian culture on this planet will be in Ukraine. The Russians know this and this is why they won’t try it. But if they do, get away from Northwood!
No. At least I hope not. We demand peace. Bloody little demons running amok around the planet. The planet getting screwed through pollution and waste. Hunger, disease, desperation. And then they want to let off nuclear bombs just to help everything along. Bunch of utter, utter cokgobblers. Rather than a nuclear war, I propose that we get all the world's leaders, Putin, Biden, Truss etc and make them do that Wipeout thing off the telly. Swinging off ropes and jumping over that spinning thing. Whoever wins, then they're the fackin' boss and can rule the world and we'll all salute their flag and sing their silly anthem and they can live in a massive palace. There. Another world problem solved.
If Putin threatens to target Kyiv with a 30 kiloton tactical nuclear weapon, unless the Ukrainians withdraw from "Russian" territory - what can NATO do? It's not an attack on a NATO country and, as I understand it, NATO does not possess tactical nuclear weapons, only warheads delivered by strategic ballistic missiles.
Based on the standard of their conventional forces I wouldn't be surprised if their nuclear weapons are poorly maintained and ineffective. But, in answer to the question, no I don't think Putin will use nuclear weapons to defend the annexed areas. He may do so if "mother Russia" is threatened or if his own position with Russia is being challenged though.
Good idea, but absolutely no way Biden is going to be able to negotiate the slippery stairs on his pins.
The answer to the question is undoubtedly "yes". Just a question of when. Selfishly, hopefully not in my lifetime.
If I had to guess and applying my armchair general experience, I would think if Putin wanted to go nuclear he'd choose somewhere sparsely populated in the Luhansk or Donbass regions near the frontlines, rather than targeting a massive population centre like Kiev. And if he did it the response from the Western countries would be asymmetric. We wouldn't necessarily nuke Russia back in return but would probably impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine and spend the next 24 hours severely degrading their war-fighting capabilities in that country and possibly Crimea too. Put Sevestopol out of action for the foreseeable future, eliminate all their command centres etc. Possibly even drop some bombs on their troops in Syria too. Essentially cripple his armed forces outside of Russia.
I've made loads of mistakes in my life. Thrown away countless opportunities and burned through huge potential to become the mediocre, middle aged man I am, yet still, my biggest single regret was being too hungover, so I fell asleep and didn't go to see this man at the Rainbow festival in Cassio Park.
Just can't see it myself. I wouldn't go so far as to call it an empty threat, because I think Vladdy boy would be quite willing to fire a nuke under certain circumstances. Those circumstances are along the lines of Russia being invaded and essentially faced with imminent occupation, however. Nuking Ukraine would be beyond stupid, because even without retaliation the fallout will blow right back into Russia, not to mention making the land hit a nuclear wasteland for the foreseeable future, which is counterproductive when you're trying to perform a land grab. It's right that Ukraine and the West treat the threat seriously, but in all practicality if I think if Vlad decided to do it he'd be suicided in short order. Even if his illness has made him reckless, those around him won't want a nuclear war.
"Suicided"? Don't you mean "assassinated"? In fact I am not sure what "being suicided" means given that the word means killing oneself.
I can’t see it happening either, it would be suicide, but things have gone so far I’m not going to simply dismiss the possibility. I mean, imagine there is nuclear war and I’ve confidently ruled it out, well it would be just so embarrassing.
No, just a reference to how so many Russian "enemies of the state" mysteriously seem to commit suicide by falling out of windows or drinking tea laced with polonium.
Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions to be incorporated into the Russian Federation from tomorrow. This means attacking them is attacking Russia, which can use any weapons in defence of the Motherland.
