“We are obliged to use them”, Russian lawmaker calls for nuclear strikes

A Russian lawmaker openly called for using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine to force a surrender. This aggressive rhetoric adds to ongoing threats from Moscow as the invasion continues. Meanwhile, officials reportedly discuss the possibility of nuclear escalation if the military campaign falters.

Demanding military capitulation

Alexei Zhuravlev serves as a member of the State Duma and leads the Rodina party. According to United24 Media, he argued that forces must strike with enough power to compel immediate surrender. He dismissed any debate regarding the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.

The lawmaker insisted that government officials should not even debate the ethics of these strikes. He told United24 Media, “If necessary, we are obliged to use them.” He added that if Moscow needs to strike, they will strike without hesitation.

These remarks represent another explicit threat from within the political establishment. As noted by United24 Media, his comments do not necessarily reflect an official policy change. There remains no concrete evidence that the military is actively preparing a nuclear launch.

Discussing potential escalation

These threats arrive amid reports of potential escalation from the Russian leadership. According to United24 Media, insiders believe President Vladimir Putin is preparing for further actions as diplomacy stalls. A growing number of officials have reportedly discussed the nuclear option.

Some insiders view tactical nuclear weapons as a potential last resort. As reported by United24 Media, they fear this scenario could unfold if the country faces military defeat. Observers continue to monitor the situation for any shift in nuclear readiness.

Despite this alarming rhetoric, experts note a lack of immediate danger. According to United24 Media, there are no indications that forces are currently preparing to deploy these weapons. The international community closely watches the strategic posture of the Russian military.

Deploying new ballistic missiles

While nuclear threats remain theoretical, conventional attacks continue to evolve. Russian forces recently used their newest ballistic missile during an attack on Kyiv. As highlighted by United24 Media, this weapon is commonly referred to as the Iskander-1000.

This new missile variant features a larger rocket motor and an enlarged launcher. According to United24 Media, these design changes significantly increase the weapon’s maximum strike distance. The enhanced range allows forces to target locations deeper inside Ukrainian territory.

The previous missile model maintained an approximate range of 390 kilometers. As noted by United24 Media, the latest modifications increase this maximum strike range to roughly 550 kilometers. This development highlights the ongoing arms race alongside the escalating political rhetoric.

This article is made and published by Lauge Risom Koch, who may have used AI in the preparation