Nuclear Threats: Another Manipulation by Putin or a Real Threat?
20 November 2024 18:47
ANALYSIS FROM 
Russian media reported that Putin had approved an updated nuclear doctrine. According to this document, aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, is proposed to be considered a joint attack on Russia. And presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a nuclear response could be triggered by the use of Western missiles against Russia.
More nuclear threats from the Kremlin or a real threat?
Putin has no trump cards left
Military expert Oleg Zhdanov in an exclusive commentary for
“The fact is that Putin no longer has any trump cards to increase the degree of confrontation,” Zhdanov explained.
According to him, Putin is constantly coming up with new excuses to tell the West that if he crosses the “red lines,” he will be forced to use nuclear weapons. However, this does not work today because, according to the expert, there are certain agreements at all levels.
Zhdanov also noted that even countries that support Russia are against the use of nuclear weapons. These are, in particular, China and India. According to the expert, countries that can invest in the restoration of Ukraine will eliminate Putin faster than he will press the red button. However, as Zhdanov noted, Russia is still trying to use intimidation tactics.
“By the way, Putin has already resorted to a previous scare with nuclear weapons when he stated that if Western weapons are used to their fullest extent, Russia will resort to nuclear escalation,” the expert explains.
The Kremlin is releasing a new manual: what is its purpose?
In addition, Russia, realizing that its previous threats no longer elicit a proper response, has changed its tactics. The Russian Foreign Ministry, according to Zhdanov, has released a manual for diplomats to properly explain nuclear threats. The document suggests that diplomats describe in detail the “impressive” factors of a nuclear explosion, the number of victims and destruction in order to intimidate Western countries.
“They are even ready to resort to such a theatrical show, but Putin simply has no other options,” the military expert says.
Why we should not worry about nuclear weapons
Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in reserve, military expert Roman Svitan in an interview with
“Everyone understands perfectly well that the Russians will not use nuclear weapons, definitely not. Firstly, because they would immediately be subjected to terrible international isolation with serious consequences. So they simply will not do it,” Svitan said.
He also emphasized that Russia’s threats against NATO are groundless. Svitan also explained that Russian rhetoric about the use of nuclear weapons has a purely domestic political context.
“But for domestic consumption, yes, it is very important. It is necessary to reassure Russians, who ultimately ask, well, some actions must be taken, because Ukrainian troops are controlled and destroyed on Russian territory, and they even have to give Koreans a ride,” Svitan explained.
The military expert noted that such statements are part of an information and psychological operation (IPO) aimed at at least somehow supporting the morale of the Russian population. Svitan also emphasized that many Russians, especially in the hinterland, have no idea about the real state of affairs.
“In some Russian hinterland, where people have no idea what a missile is, have never seen one in their lives, a TV is everything to them. That is, a TV and a refrigerator, these are the two things that are important to them,” says Svitan.
Thus, despite the Kremlin’s recent threats of possible use of nuclear weapons, military experts agree that Russia will not take such a step. According to experts, such statements are part of internal propaganda aimed at maintaining the morale of the Russian population, which is constantly asking for effective actions regarding the situation at the front. This is a psychological operation designed to create the impression that the Russian leadership is actively responding to threats from the West, although in reality this is not the case.
Author – Daryna Glushchenko
