Ukraine and the Likelihood of Russian Nuclear Weapon Use

How likely is the use of nuclear weapons by Russia? Exploring key questions around Putin issuing what was interpreted as a threat to use nuclear weapons against NATO countries if they interfere in Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, in a televised speech heralding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin issued what was interpreted as a threat to use nuclear weapons against NATO countries should they interfere. ‘Russia will respond immediately’ he said, ‘and the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history’. Then on 27 February 2022, Putin ordered Russia to move nuclear forces to a ‘special mode of combat duty’, which has a significant meaning in terms of the protocols to launch nuclear weapons from Russia.