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Original poster

Do you think Putin will use nuclear weapons?

507 replies

colddayinhell · 21/09/2022 20:41

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.

OP posts:
Igotjelly · 21/09/2022 21:23

No I don’t, but the West are foolish not to treat his threats with caution, being complacent helps no one.

Igotjelly · 21/09/2022 21:23

The State Duma rep is full of shit and shouldn’t have been given air time frankly.

strawberriesarenot · 21/09/2022 21:24

I think as a show of strength, he might use one in the Arctic. To demonstrate he has them and is prepared to go all the way.
As if the Artic environment and wildlife isn't struggling enough.

stillherenow · 21/09/2022 21:24

RayKray · 21/09/2022 21:22

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

Very true !

TonTonMacoute · 21/09/2022 21:27

No.

Most of what he says is for home consumption. That is not to say the situation is not serious though.

Andante57 · 21/09/2022 21:28

Yes I think he might.
There would be retaliation but maybe he wouldn’t care so long as he destroyed his enemies.

Anon778833 · 21/09/2022 21:29

It’s unlikely. And there have been many discussions about how it’s never possible for one person alone to unleash nukes.

IneedcoffeeinanIV · 21/09/2022 21:29

He won't. I'm generally terrified of the thought of nuclear war but I can't see him going there. He wants to dominate Ukraine and if he does this, there's nothing to take. He's running out of scare tactics now Ukraine have very well fought back so he needs something else to use to frighten people into backing down

Notanotherwindow · 21/09/2022 21:30

He can't really. As a pp said, his generals would have to be on board, someone who isn't him has to press the button and even if he is a suicidal maniac, the rest of Russia isn't. They won't risk their own families and neither will Putin. If he does, things will escalate very quickly and he doesn't want that. He's throwing his weight around is all.

Always4Brenner · 21/09/2022 21:32

kirstywursty012 · 21/09/2022 20:53

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.

I can’t thank you enough for this I dread a nuclear attack at least now it’s not likely.

Anon778833 · 21/09/2022 21:32

There is a journalist in the UK who claims to have been told by Russian insiders that their nukes can’t reach places like the US/UK and haven’t for some time.

LuciferRising · 21/09/2022 21:33

If a country was mad enough to fire a nuke at one country, would other countries get involved if it meant putting their citizens at risk?

Anon778833 · 21/09/2022 21:33

And if you’re anxious, don’t read the news for a while/

Luredbyapomegranate · 21/09/2022 21:33

Let’s hope not.

Dunnoburt · 21/09/2022 21:34

We wouldn't know much about it if he did
...man's an absolute fucking loon! Surprised he's not been shot.....

crs1978 · 21/09/2022 21:34

"Do not be alarmed"
Matt 24:6

macthekwife · 21/09/2022 21:35

Equally assured distraction relies on sensible people in charge.
But wait, people who aren't sensible can become in charge?
Wait.

MMBaranova · 21/09/2022 21:35

No.

Nothing of course can be ruled out.

If they were used there would be consequences, especially from nuclear powers.

Of course there is an assumption that Soviet era nuclear weapons might function.

Sideorderofchips · 21/09/2022 21:36

If he goes nuclear it will most likely be battled field nukes

As for a full scale nuclear attack on Ukraine remember it is not part of nato so the west doesn't haven't to retaliate. Whether they would or not is another matter.

I would like to think putin isn't that insane. I really hope he isn't

stillherenow · 21/09/2022 21:41

What reassures me the most is that I don't think the Chinese leadership are mad and he needs their support . He's power crazy but I don't believe he's insane.

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 21/09/2022 21:41

No, he's just a massive wanker who wants to look strong and in control, despite his war in Ukraine being a total disaster for all involved.

He's a bit like a railing drunk man when the police get called.

Isitsixoclockalready · 21/09/2022 21:43

colddayinhell · 21/09/2022 20:41

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.

I don't think that he intends to but it concerns me that him and his (presumably now very small) circle seem to be totally removed from reality and respect for nuclear doctrines that have been in place for decades. He seems to be in uncharted territory because he clearly didn't expect the West to be so united and it has rattled him. The bigger question I guess is whether he totally turns off the gas over the winter although Europe has done well in storing up supplies so that may not have the desired impact.

Neverendingdust · 21/09/2022 21:45

The most worrying aspect is how he could potentially exercise his power when cornered, already there are protests of the recent announcement in some of the bigger Russian cities. If he thinks he will lose his grip on power (his generals too) then there is a risk of escalation ’just because’, with nothing else to lose but to inflict untold misery and suffering onto billions.

Cosmos123 · 21/09/2022 21:45

He will.

He has nothing to lose.
If he goes down he will make sure the rest go down with him.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 21/09/2022 21:45

Nah. He may have made some stupid decisions recently, but he's not got a death wish. Indeed, we know he's very concerned about surviving.

Additionally, it isn't going to be a question of him deciding and then it happening, there are people around him who'd have to cooperate too. They're not all going to be willing to sacrifice their own lives and those of their families for the sake of a clearly weakened leader whose grasp on reality isn't what it was.