US: Putin would make nuclear threats if war drags on

Russian President Vladimir Putin could threaten to use nuclear weapons against the West if Ukraine’s strong resistance to Russia’s invasion continues, according to a new analysis by the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency.

“The prolonged occupation of parts of Ukrainian territory threatens to deplete Russia’s military forces and reduce its modernized weapons arsenal, while the ensuing economic sanctions are likely to push Russia into prolonged economic depression and diplomatic isolation.said Lt. Gen. Scott Berrierdirector of the Defense Intelligence Agency, in his new 67-page summary of global threats.

The combination of the challenge presented by Ukraine and the economic sanctions will threaten the “Russia’s ability to produce modern precision munitionsBerrier said in a statement prepared for the House Armed Services Committee.

“As this war and its aftermath slowly weaken the Russian conventional force,” Berrier added“Russia is likely to rely increasingly on its nuclear deterrence to project its force to its audiences at home and abroad.”

Putin has already announced that he has placed Russia’s nuclear arsenal on high alert.

Unlike a global threats report issued by multiple intelligence agencies last week with findings from before the Russian invasion, the new report reflects information as of Tuesday.

A senior Pentagon official told reporters Thursday that the invasion is largely stalled, with Russia relying on more than 1,000 long-range missile strikes in Ukraine so far.

“US efforts to undermine Russia’s goals in Ukraine, combined with its perception that the United States is a nation in decline, could prompt Russia to take more aggressive action not only in Ukraine, but also more broadly in its confrontation with Russia. WestBerrier said.

A key motivation for the invasion, he said, is the determination to Russia from “restore a sphere of influence over Ukraine and the other states of the former Soviet Union”.

He added that “Despite greater than anticipated resistance from Ukraine and relatively high losses in the early phases of the conflict, Moscow appears determined to press forward using more lethal capabilities until the Ukrainian government is willing to agree terms favorable to Moscow.”.