According to foreign policy analysts, Russian President Vladimir Putin would only consider nuclear weapons if his country or regime faced an “existential threat.”

Former Russian foreign minister Andrei Kozyrev told Fox News Digital, “They may be deployed, but in very, very specific conditions.” “If Russia or one of those countries feels truly threatened – existentially, that is – if NATO soldiers arrive in Moscow, they will very certainly turn to nuclear weapons.”

After failing to conquer Kyiv after a month-long campaign in northern Ukraine, Russia has shifted strategy in recent weeks. The Russian military claimed to have completed phase one of its mission and would now focus on securing the Donbas region, which some have dubbed a “compensation reward” for the “sacrifice.”

If Russia faces an “overwhelming military loss” in Donbas, according to Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow Brent Sadler, Putin could employ a tactical nuclear strike.

“In that circumstance, a tactical nuclear bomb could be cosidered to demonstrate resolve and basically reverse any trends in the Russian military,” Sadler added. “I don’t see them using city killers, because that would definitely usher in World War III, and the assumption is if he does that he’s attacking NATO.”

Also Read

Nebenzya reads a UNSC report written by a Russian intelligence agent

A report on "rights abuses" by Ukrainian soldiers was produced by a...