Ukraine: the United States is concerned about a possible Russian nuclear strike

Europe 1 with AFP 4:30 p.m., November 2, 2022

Russia frustrated and ready to use nuclear weapons?

This is the question that worries Washington and the allied capitals.

According to an article in the

, Russian military leaders have spoken about the use of this weapon.

Within this conversation, they would have questioned when and how Moscow could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

If Vladimir Putin has already made threats of this kind, he would not have taken part in the conversations that took place.

The US government reportedly received information about these conversations in mid-October.

Information that alarms the United States as well as allied countries because it would indicate that Russian military leaders, frustrated by the failures during the conflict in Ukraine, could make threats from their president a reality.

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2,000 Russian tactical nuclear weapons

Despite these conversations, the US government said it had no evidence so far that Russia was taking action on the use of nuclear weapons.

"We have been clear from the outset that Russia's comments about the potential use of nuclear weapons are deeply concerning, and we take them seriously," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

“We continue to monitor this as best we can, and we see no indication that Russia is preparing for such use,” he continued.

As far as Russia is concerned, the Pentagon today estimates that it possesses nearly 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons.

These are for use on the battlefield to overwhelm conventional forces.

So far, this weapon has only been deployed in combat.

However, it can be used in several ways, such as by missile or artillery shell, and is intended to be used for short distances.

According to some military experts, the nuclear weapon, which has not been deployed for more than 75 years, could cause thousands of deaths and make several regions of Ukraine uninhabitable.

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Several measures to ease nuclear tension

The intelligence emerged as Moscow accused Ukraine of considering the use of a "dirty bomb", a conventional explosive containing radioactive material.

As for the American government and its allies, they affirm that several telephone calls between Westerners and Russians at the end of October made it possible to calm this nuclear tension. 

Thursday, October 27, Vladimir Putin spoke on the subject by denying Moscow's wish to carry out a nuclear strike in Ukraine.

"We don't see the need for it. It makes no political or military sense," he said.

He himself had provoked this fear with his threats, today he seems to be opting for an appeasement of the situation.