In the fall of 2022, there was a real risk of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine during the breakthrough of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the northeast, which caused a surge in diplomatic activity.
This was stated by the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency William Burns, speaking the day before together with the head of British foreign intelligence MI6 Richard Murom.
The threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons in 2022
— In the fall of 2022, there was a moment when, in my opinion, there was a real risk of the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, — he emphasized.
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He recalled how in November, on behalf of US President Joe Biden, he spoke with the director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergei Naryshkin.
Then, at a meeting in Turkey, he explained to Naryshkin what the consequences of such an escalation would be.
— I don't think we can afford to be intimidated by this saber-rattling or intimidation, but we have to remember it, — added Burns.
Concerns about a possible Russian false-flag attack arose in October 2022 after then-Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Ukraine was planning to use a so-called dirty bomb.
President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by saying that Russia was likely planning a dirty bomb attack itself.
At the same time, U.S. President Joe Biden warned Russia about using a “dirty bomb” in Ukraine.
