New Threat: Putin may not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, because it is occupied by space - the media
By the second anniversary of the war, the situation of both parties on the front may be restricted, but military failures of the Armed Forces on the battlefield could force Russian President Vladimir Putin to think serious The Crimean Peninsula, because it allegedly could undermine its power, the authors of the material write. Western governments cannot guess what the Russian President is in mind, and the rhetoric on the use of nuclear weapons has become routine as a last resort.
Accordingly, the psychological threshold in the population was significantly reduced. The threat has retreated, writes The Times, as the Kremlin continues to hope that the United States of America is tired of supporting Ukraine and will no longer supply the Armed Forces. Now Vladimir Putin can insist on a peace agreement, which will then be called his victory.
At the same time, many statements have been made over the last 2 years that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of an "existential" threat. The political leadership of the enemy, continue the authors of the article, may be convinced that only nuclear bombs and missiles can save the Nation and regime of the Kremlin from "humiliation and shame". In the West, the nuclear problem is considered that Russia will be meaningless and strategically.
This would not guarantee the end of the war or victory for Vladimir Putin. At the same time, Moscow can assume that this is a great way to challenge the event. Journalists are convinced that now there are only two reasons that interfere with the Russian president, however, to throw away a deadly bomb on Ukraine. The first is China. China Si Jinping Chairman has already publicly stated that nuclear weapons should never be applied to either parties.
At the same time he did not condemn Moscow for the war, but also did not offer military assistance. Xi Jinping was completely tried to position himself with a peacemaker for the diplomatic end of the war, which would strengthen his position, but he had no success in this area. Vladimir Putin realizes that if he goes against this statement, then the partnership with Beijing will, if not destroyed, is placed in great threat.
The second reason that Russia has not yet used nuclear weapons is the probable response from the US and NATO. The Kremlin head understands that Ukraine is not a member of the Alliance, and the bloc members may not help Kiev in the event of a nuclear strike, but Washington has already understood Moscow that the consequences in such an event would be catastrophic. What it is - in the White House do not speak.
The attention of nuclear weapons on the battlefield has shifted in Ukraine, as the Russian president may consider the possibility of bringing a nuclear device into space. The authors of the material noticed that Vladimir Putin often shows a deep interest in unusual weapons. Capture hypersonic missiles or nuclear warheads. Now the Kremlin intends to bring nuclear devices in orbit, and there they can potentially be aimed at American satellites.
Accordingly, when or if this happens, space can become a new area of hostilities and a conflict between Russia and the US. Washington will be forced to implement new developments in the short term that would counteract the "space bases" of the enemy. By the way, The Times also says that Russia, Iran, North Korea and China are investing in the development of space potential. In particular, it is about sipping weapons. The global network may be a great threat.
At the same time, in 1967, Russia signed a space agreement that prohibits nuclear weapons or other mass destruction devices in orbit. At the same time, whether Moscow will follow the rules in modern realities - there is no information. According to preliminary estimates, there are 6,000 units of different nuclear weapons in Russia today. Some of them can be applied locally on the battlefield, but the other is intended to destroy entire cities.
Last year, the Kremlin has already stated that they would be forced to abandon the latest nuclear weapons control agreement with the United States. This contract limited the number and placement of deadly weapons by both parties. The contract expires only in 2026. We will remind, on February 21 it was reported that Russia can run nuclear weapons into space as early as 2024.
According to current estimates, Moscow does not plan to undermine any orbital weapons, but there is a risk of an accident, and a nuclear explosion can potentially affect about a third of satellites and damage the communication systems on Earth. On February 16, US President Joe Biden instructed the White House administration to start direct negotiations with Russia on the test of deadly weapons in space.