![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/us-increasingly-concerned-sabre-rattling-russia-will-use-nuclear-weapons-in-ukraine/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000219929432_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqP7PeUEAKXIVLoQRNsRT1wVz9SgY8x6kONkMtal3fATc.jpeg&description=The intelligence that some of his military officials discussed how it would be done was first reported by The New York Times. No specific targets were detailed in the discussions between the Russian military officials. Since the intelligence became known in Washington in mid October, there have been a series of communications between senior US and Russian figures in an attempt to reduce nuclear tensions. That has included calls between Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, and Sergei Shoigu, his Russian counterpart. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, called The New York Times report "very irresponsible". He said Moscow did "not have the slightest intention to take part in this". In Washington, Mr Kirby said: "We've been clear from the outset that Russia's comments about the potential use of nuclear weapons are deeply concerning, and we take them seriously. We continue to monitor this as best we can. "We've no indications Mr Putin has made a decision to use nuclear weapons. But this is all deeply concerning to us. "When you again hear Mr Putin, in just the last few weeks, talking about it, making historical references to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we take note of that." According to the British security think tank Rusi, Russia's tactical nuclear arsenal is limited in range to 300 miles, compared with a 3,000-mile strategic nuclear missile. But they still have immense destructive power, with some having a potential yield similar to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Such weapons could be delivered from a submarine, a jet, or surface-to-surface missile launcher. Analysts said Russia could choose to use a low-yield tactical nuclear weapon in an unpopulated area of Ukraine, causing no loss of life. The smallest tactical nuclear weapons have a blast radius of around 500 metres.){kind=link}
Alarm bells as American intelligence monitors Kremlin military officials discussing when and how to use tactical devices
The United States has said it is “increasingly concerned” after it emerged senior Russian military officials discussed when and how to use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
US intelligence monitored the conversations, which did not involve Vladimir Putin but caused unease in Washington in the wake of aggressive nuclear rhetoric from the Russian president.
John Kirby, the White House national security spokesman, said there was “no indication” the Russian president had decided to use a nuclear weapon – but warned: “We may not pick up every single indicator.”
He added: “We have grown increasingly concerned about the potential as these months have gone on. It’s increasingly unsettling in terms of the degree to which he feels he has to stretch to prosecute this war.”