Vladimir Putin announced the exercises earlier this month ‘as a warning to the west not to escalate tensions further’

Russian forces have started military drills near Ukraine simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to what Moscow deems threats from western officials about increased involvement in the conflict.

Vladimir Putin ordered the drills earlier this month in a move Russian officials said was a warning to the west not to escalate tensions further.

The Kremlin has particularly been angered by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who floated the possibility of sending European troops to fight Russia in Ukraine, and by remarks from the UK foreign secretary, David Cameron, who said Ukraine had the right to use weapons supplied by London to target sites in Russia.

  • magnetosphere@fedia.io
    381·
    6 months ago

    Actually using those nukes would be a great way to piss off most of the world, and virtually guarantee that the CIA/military would make it a priority to remove Putin from power by any means necessary.

    If some dumbass on Lemmy (me) can figure that out, so can Putin’s advisors. He’s bluffing. It’s well past time to call him on it.

    • Plopp@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      Piss off the west. I’m sure the major countries that support Russia today would continue to do so. And getting removed from power is something Putin’s been paranoid about forever, hence the doppelgangers and such. I’m sure he has very thoroughly thought out plans to disappear on his own accord if needed.

      That being said, using nukes just seem very counter productive to Russia and I would hope even a deranged Putin, or at least other oligarchs, realize that.

  • ganksy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    25·
    6 months ago

    Aways a bell weather for when Russia is not optimistic about the battlefront

  • bazus1@lemmy.worldEnglish
    154·
    6 months ago

    Don’t be playin’, MFer. Have you seen the memes these days? Have you seen the declining birthrates? There’s waaaay too many of us ready for MAD.

  • Hadriscus@lemm.eeEnglish
    10·
    6 months ago

    “Do not escalate tensions further”, said he, while escalating tensions further

  • SolidGrue@lemmy.worldEnglish
    6·
    6 months ago

    GenX’ers be dusting off those duck & cover drills.

    Nuclear Armageddon? It’s whatever.

  • jpreston2005@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    6 months ago

    Putin removed his longtime ally Shoigu from his role as defence minister earlier this month. Two other senior defence officials have also been arrested on corruption charges.

    The removal of top military figures seems to also serve as a way to mitigate any push-back when he does order a nuclear strike. I can’t imagine having to countermand my boss on my first day on the job.