Russian "military leaders" discussed how and when Moscow could use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, The New York Times reported , citing several U.S. officials. President Vladimir Putin did not participate in the discussion, but the very fact of the talks "alarmed" the administration of US President Joe Biden.
Intelligence about this appeared in mid-October, according to the NYT. The conversation took place against the background of increasing nuclear rhetoric from Russia and the failures of the army on the fronts.
“The fact of the discussion showed how frustrated Russian generals are with their failures in the war zone and suggests that Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons may not be just words,” the newspaper writes.
The journalists did not specify who exactly took part in the meeting, the publication did not provide any other specifics either.
However, according to him, American intelligence still believes that there are no signs of Russia preparing for a nuclear strike.
“The statements of the Russian authorities about the potential use of nuclear weapons are of deep concern, and we take them seriously. We continue to monitor this to the best of our ability and see no signs that Russia is preparing to use [tactical nuclear weapons],” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told the newspaper.
The Pentagon estimates that Russia has up to 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons that are designed for use in the war zone and have never been used in combat. Its use can lead to the death of thousands of people and make some areas of Ukraine uninhabitable.