Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

The US does not “take lightly” the idea that Russia may want to deploy a tactical nuclear bomb in Ukraine:

According to CIA Director Bill Burns, the US does not “take lightly” the idea that Russia may want to deploy a tactical nuclear bomb in Ukraine as Moscow continues to encounter challenges on the battlefield.

“Given President Putin and the Russian leadership’s potential desperation, given the military setbacks they’ve suffered thus far, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low yield nuclear weapons,” he said in public remarks at Georgia Institute of Technology.

According to Burns, the CIA “watch[s] for that extremely attentively.” However, he noted that the US has yet to receive any indications that Russia is planning such a move.

Burns, however, warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin has become increasingly isolated, and that his “risk appetite has risen as his hold on Russia has tightened.”

“His circle of advisors has shrunk, and in that small group, questioning his judgement or his obstinate, almost mystical belief that his mission is to rebuild Russia’s sphere of influence has never been career-enhancing,” Burns said.