Russia is heavily promoting false-flag information operations to block Western aid to Ukraine.
Russia is trying to slow down the West in providing powerful weapons to Ukraine, but it is unlikely that the Kremlin can actually use nuclear weapons.
This was reported at the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
A senior US defense official confirmed that Russia is unlikely to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Under Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs Colin Kahl said the United States does not assess Russia's use of nuclear weapons during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on U.S. military support for Ukraine on February 28.
ISW is convinced that Russian statements about nuclear threats and nuclear doctrine are part of an information operation aimed at the reluctance of Ukraine and the West. However, they do not demonstrate any significant Russian intentions to use nuclear weapons.
In particular, the Russian Ministry of Defense recently accused the United States of planning to provoke in Ukraine using toxic chemicals. Analysts suggest that the Russian Defense Ministry and Russian officials are likely to step up their involvement in such information operations as the Russian offensive in Luhansk region nears a climax and opportunities for Ukrainian counter-offensives grow.
Recall, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced on February 21 that Russia was suspending participation in the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty, concluded from the United States. We are talking about limiting such weapons.
As Ukrainian diplomat Roman Bessmertny explained, such a step on the part of the Russian Federation means the resumption of the production of strategic offensive weapons in terms of current needs. However, the politician believes that they are minimal.
As of February 25, the Pentagon reported that it had not noticed a change in the position of Russia's strategic nuclear forces after Putin's announcement.
