Russia: Putin may soon have justification for using nuclear weapons
Created: 09/25/2022, 07:13
By: Lucas Maier
It hangs over the West like the sword of Damocles: the fear of a nuclear strike from Russia.
Putin may soon have a justification for such an effort.
Moscow – At the moment it is probably one of the most feared scenarios in the Ukraine war: a nuclear strike by Russia.
But even Vladimir Putin cannot easily order a nuclear strike, as the US online newspaper
Newsweek
reports.
However, the ruler in the Kremlin could soon have his reasons for an attack with nuclear weapons.
The currently held "sham referenda" in some areas of Ukraine could be decisive for this.
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"Referendums" in Ukraine: Russia tries to gain legitimacy
In the Donbass and the Russian-occupied territories, “referendums” began on Friday (September 23), according to the Russian state agency
TASS
.
The votes on the regions joining the Russian Federation should continue until Tuesday (October 27).
“Referendums” are currently underway in these regions:
Luhansk
Donetsk
Zaporizhia
Kherson
Source: TASS
The votes, held by Russian troops and pro-Russian separatists, are considered "sham referendums" which are unlikely to be recognized internationally.
For ruler Putin, however, these could provide a sufficient basis for a nuclear strike, as
Newsweek
reports.
Threat from Russia: Will the nuclear strike come after the mock referendums?
(Archive image) © -/dpa
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Nuclear weapons against Ukraine: Use of tactical nuclear weapons conceivable
In addition to conventional weapons, Russia also has nuclear weapons in its arsenal to defend its own territory.
If the areas are incorporated into the Russian Federation after the “referendums”, nuclear weapons could be used.
Any attempt by Ukraine to retake its territories could then be seen as a direct attack on Russia,
Newsweek
writes.
The Donbass republics and other territories are included in Russia.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told Newsweek
But there are other assessments.
Retired Lieutenant General Robert Ashley does not see the sham referendums as a possible justification for a nuclear strike.
Ashley told
Newsweek
: "The only legal bureau that could be used for such an argument would be a Russian court.
No international court recognizes such an annexation.” (Lucas Maier)
