"Putin cornered": Ex-CIA man predicts Russia's next steps - and fears nuclear use
Created: 09/28/2022, 16:52
By: Linus Prien
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Archive image) © IMAGO/Gavriil Grigorov
Russia has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons in recent weeks.
American experts consider the scenario to be realistic.
Atlanta - After several months of escalating the Ukraine war, the Kremlin is now giving clear indications that it is also prepared to use nuclear weapons.
During a speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he intends to use "all means" to defend Russian territory.
Likewise, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev insisted on Russia's right to use its nuclear weapons.
Former CIA officer Robert Baer told the American news channel CNN: "The probability that he will use nuclear weapons - at least tactical nuclear weapons - is increasing by the day."
Ukraine war: American sources take nuclear threats seriously
Not only Baer considers the use of nuclear weapons by the Russian side to be conceivable.
Other US officials fear that if Putin feels too cornered, he will use nuclear weapons.
The US is also concerned about the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
These do less damage than strategic nuclear weapons and result in less radiation.
However, it is much more difficult to find out when they will be mobilized.
In addition, numerous missile systems of the Russian armed forces can carry tactical nuclear weapons.
For this reason, the United States is currently intensifying its educational work, as reported by the US newspaper
Politico
.
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Ukraine war: "The more trouble he has, the more likely he will use nuclear weapons"
"I think the chances of him de-escalating are close to zero," Baer said.
However, this is opposed by the fact that Putin cannot continue his image as a strong president and at the same time make concessions in Ukraine.
In the eyes of the former CIA officer, "Putin has been cornered."
But that is exactly what increases the probability of the use of nuclear weapons.
"The Russians I'm in contact with in Russia are convinced it's going to be nuclear," Baer said.
The ex-CIA man warned: "I don't know how well connected they are (...) but the more trouble he has, the more likely he is to use nuclear weapons."
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