Do you think Putin will use nuclear weapons?

[colddayinhell]

I'm getting very nervous about the ramping up of the war and Putin's calling up of 300,000 reservists. It feels like this is a major escalation. I know that any use of nuclear weapons would mean instant retaliation but it no longer feels like a MAD scenario as it almost feels now like he wants a scorched earth and has nothing to lose and doesn't care that it would destroy everything.

Sorry, didn't mean to put a poll in.

No

I hope not. The thought of it terrifies me as everything would be destroyed. Xx

No

I don’t think he will

I think he fears retaliation, doesn’t want to die, and will probably be deposed soon now he’s been exposed as a failure. I’m also far from sure his nukes would work if he tried.

Yes he might in Ukraine

There's a great TikTok account called "countdaedalus" - he's a very rational (albeit a little bit grumpy!) guy and calmly and logically describes the Ukraine war and any potential outcomes. What many people don't realise is that there are satellites constantly watching Putin's rockets. If the hatch was so much to open, the retaliation would be be global. It's also not just up to it Putin - there is a process in launching nuclear weapons and a number of generals need to be on board for it to happen.

Also he really isn't stupid - he has a lot to lose with nuclear war and so does China (his closest ally). For example China has number of cities protected by a HUGE dam - a simple missile attack there could put millions of Chinese people underwater.

Please try not to to worry and don't read the news! You just need a quick daily glance to be well informed - don't obsess over it. Putin is doing really badly in the Ukraine war and is just trying to save face and look tough.

Thank you so much for this post. It's really helped me too. I've got really anxious about it all again this evening

No he won’t. It’s instant retaliation. Plus his generals have to be on board, all of those won’t be willing to sacrifice their lives, their families lives etc. I think he’s threatened nuclear 3 times now. Russia are having protests now against reserves being sent out. Won’t be too much longer before he’s gone

No

No. As the others have said. It's bluster, the panicked words of a losing man.

@nellytheelephant1980 you're welcome! I used to obsess about nuclear war when I was a teen so know the anxiety very well! xxx

Mutually Assured Destruction is still a thing. Putin would be mad to even go there.

What I'd like to know is if we can stop them if he launches them!

I don't think he will. But no one thought he would invade Ukraine and he did.

He definitely won't nuke Ukraine - that's what he sees as the motherland.

There was a completely insane Duma representative on the Today programme today .

I'm just trying not to worry. There is zero we can do about it !

I think he might use a small one in Ukraine to test the west.

I real hope not. My anxiety is through the roof anyway and all this talk of nuclear war has me terrified. I’m going back to not watching or reading the news which I did when he first invaded the Ukraine.

Intelligence did tell us he was going to invade Ukraine. And history also shows it's been a pattern for a long time. So it's not the case that nobody thought he'd invade Ukraine.

The fall out would affect Russia though. I just can't see it .

I've avoided the news these past 8 months, no newspapers, no tv news and this morning I switch in GMB while working out and stuff me, 'breaking news' came on. It's upset me all day. I'm trying so hard not to think about it as all I want to do is keep my babies home form school and build a wall around us but sadly the world needs to carry on carrying on. Thinking of you, I know how you feel xx

I used to think that, but if he did then I think nato would go all in (not nuclear, but boots on the ground) and he wouldn’t stand a chance (and he knows it)

I mean earlier than that , he was sabre rattling over Ukraine for a long time.

But I think this is different tbh. He's in a weak position now and people will surely begin to stand up against him.

Agree west wouldnt go nuclear but would send in forces to Ukraine and then it's game over. There would be no purpose for him.

I see what you did there

Yeh I saw the breaking news this morning and have felt sick all day. I just want to keep my two little ones with me at home. It’s the fact it’s out of our control and nothing we can do. Xx

I know I've felt weird since the mad Russian on the today programme . I wasn't expecting it at all so it threw me a little. He has form though.

Earlier than what? The history of Ukraine being invaded by its neighbours, including Russia goes back a v v long time.