MOSCOW MAY BE PREPARING A NEW ESCALATION IN UKRAINE AS NUCLEAR FEARS RESURFACE
Russia is reportedly preparing to intensify its attacks on Ukraine after concluding that peace negotiations have reached a deadlock, according to sources close to the Kremlin cited by Bloomberg.
Moscow is said to be considering increased ballistic missile strikes against Kyiv, potentially including targets in the city center, as well as infrastructure in other Ukrainian cities.
According to the sources, a growing number of Russian officials fear that a prolonged escalation could eventually lead President Vladimir Putin to consider the use of a tactical nuclear weapon.
The Kremlin also reportedly views Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure as increasingly connected to military and intelligence support provided by NATO countries a perception that could further fuel tensions between Moscow and the West.
However, there is currently no indication that Russia is preparing a nuclear strike. Analyst Alexander Gabuev assesses that the risk of such a scenario remains extremely low.