 It is not clear precisely when the conversations took place and officials would not provide the New York Times with details on when the military leaders believed Moscow would seriously consider a nuclear strike. John F. Kirby, a National Security Council official, declined to comment on 'the particulars' of the New York Times' reporting, but he said the United States has been 'clear from the outset that Russia 's comments about the potential use of nuclear weapons are deeply concerning' and that officials are taking them seriously. The Pentagon estimates that Russia has a stockpile of as many as 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, which could all be deployed in numerous ways, including by missile or artillery shell. Nuclear weapons have not been used in war for more than 75 years and only twice. But military experts say it would fundamentally change the shape of war. National Security Counc){kind=link}
A National Security Council official said the United States has been “clear from the outset that Russia’s comments about the potential use of nuclear weapons are deeply concerning” and that officials are taking them seriously
Senior Russian military leaders had conversations to discuss when and how Moscow might use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine, according to multiple senior US officials.
American officials say there is no clear evidence that the Russians were moving nuclear weapons into place or taking other tactical measures to prepare for a strike.
The New York Times also reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not directly engaged in these specific talks, but the meetings suggest that Putin’s repeated statements on the use of nuclear weapons could be more than threats.
However, it is of note that these conversations are taking place and the revelation has alarmed the US government administration.