CIA Director: Russia was close to a nuclear strike on Ukraine in autumn 2022
10 September 2024 06:24
CIA Director Bill Burns said that in the autumn of 2022 there was a real risk of Russia’s possible use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. This was reported by
“In the autumn of 2022, there was a moment when I think there was a real risk of a possible use of tactical nuclear weapons,” Burns said in a joint speech with the head of British intelligence MI6, Richard Moore.
At the end of 2022, Burns reportedly met with Russian intelligence chief Naryshkin, where he stressed to the Russian authorities the consequences of a possible nuclear strike.
At the same time, Burns urged not to be intimidated by the Kremlin’s nuclear threats.
“I have never thought, however, and this is my institution’s point of view, that we should be unnecessarily frightened by this. Putin is a bully. He will continue to shake his weapon,” the official added.
The head of British intelligence called Putin “deeply irresponsible” and agreed with Burns that allies should continue to support Ukraine.
“As Bill said, no one in the West is going to be intimidated by this kind of talk or the behaviour of the Russian state, because we know we have to stay in this and try to help the Ukrainians regain their independence and sovereignty,” Moore added.
Previously
A few days earlier, it became known that gas masks had been prepared for Ukrainians in case of a nuclear strike by Russia. In the event that the Russian Armed Forces use nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, the state will provide people with gas masks for personal protection free of charge.
Local administrations should provide gas masks to non-working people by accumulating protective equipment for this purpose in local communal reserves.
