Kathrine Frich
From the moment nuclear weapons were first used against Japan, the world has lived with the possibility of unimaginable destruction.
Through the Cold War and beyond, that threat has never fully disappeared.
Now, that risk is once again being openly discussed by senior figures in Moscow.
Nuclear focus
Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to be directly involved in overseeing the development of new nuclear weapons, according to statements reported by The Sun.
Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, said the country’s nuclear capabilities remain a central priority.
“The President of the Russian Federation [Putin] personally oversees the creation of weapons based on new physical principles and the maintenance of the combat capability of our existing solutions.”
Apocalypse warning
The comments come as senior Russian figures issued stark warnings about the risk of global catastrophe.
Former president Dmitry Medvedev described the situation in increasingly dire terms.
“Our conflict with the Western world today is existential in nature.”
He also warned of the “real possibility” of a “nuclear apocalypse”.
Mixed messages
However, not all officials in Moscow appear aligned on the issue.
Andrey Belousov, a Russian foreign ministry representative, rejected suggestions that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons.
“We consider it necessary to refute the unfounded speculations that Russia is allegedly considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine or threatening to use them.”
He added that Russia is working to avoid escalation between nuclear powers.
Growing fears
Despite those reassurances, concerns remain high as tensions continue to rise.
Ukrainian military figures have warned that the situation could escalate depending on developments on the battlefield.
“The question is whether they will use tactical nuclear weapons.”
