Russia has issued chilling threats to use nuclear weapons as the United States warned President Vladimir Putin that his war in Ukraine has become a strategic disaster. The warnings from Moscow coincided with NATO's major Ramstein Flag 2026 military drills, demonstrating the alliance's strength.
US Condemns Russian Aggression
Dan Negrea, the US representative at the UN Security Council, declared that the Kremlin was facing failure. He stated: 'Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been a strategic disaster. Its oil refineries are ablaze, and Russia is losing 5,000 people per month. Moscow cannot achieve its goals on the battlefield.' Negrea added that escalation would not change this and would only worsen the disaster, urging an immediate end to the war.
Russian Nuclear Threats
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin responded by asserting that Putin is prepared to use nuclear weapons if Russia or Belarus, bound together in an autocratic 'Union State,' face security risks. 'We are constantly ready to use all means, including nuclear ones, to ensure the security of the Union State,' Galuzin said. He cited what Moscow claims is a buildup of NATO forces on the border of Russia and Belarus.
The threat was followed by an extraordinary call in Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Russian government's official newspaper, for Putin to employ nuclear weapons and seek to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The demand came from military expert Colonel Yuri Knutov as Moscow reels from Ukraine's increasingly effective use of drones and missiles.
Call for Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Knutov argued that Moscow should declare Zelensky 'an international terrorist, which in essence would free the hands of our special services for his liquidation.' He added: 'To these measures for neutralising aerial threats, one can also add a change in the tactics of ground warfare. The mass use of drones is slowing the pace of our offensive. It forces us to disperse and conduct combat operations in small groups.'
Knutov suggested that Russia is approaching the moment when the question of using tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield will arise. He proposed using low-yield nuclear shells, such as 152mm rounds, to break Ukrainian defences and regain momentum. 'These do not necessarily have to be missiles with a warhead of ten kilotons. For example, we have 152mm shells with special nuclear warheads in service. That is, with low-yield charges. They should ensure our breakthrough in key directions.'
He warned that such actions are part of combat tactics known to the Russian General Staff and also recommended extensive use of powerful aerial bombs like the FAB-3000 and FAB-9000 to grind down enemy defences.
Putin's Forces Under Pressure
Putin's forces are being forced back on parts of the frontline and suffering devastating losses. Russian advances have halted in eastern Ukraine as the economy flounders. The latest nuclear warning comes as Russia faces frustration on the battlefield, with its oil refineries ablaze and mounting casualties.
