In the latter part of 2022, the United States began to “rigorously prepare” for a potential nuclear attack by Russia on Ukraine, which would mark the first such attack since the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki almost eighty years ago.
The Biden administration was particularly concerned about the prospect of Russia employing a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, CNN reported, citing two officials.
The administration’s alarming assessment is not based on a single indicator but on a combination of developments, analysis and, in particular, new, highly sensitive information, the report said.
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In late summer 2022, Ukrainian forces made significant advances towards Russian-occupied Kherson, posing a threat to Russian units. The potential loss of Kherson was seen as a “potential trigger” for Russia to consider using nuclear weapons, given the catastrophic implications.
In late summer 2022, Ukrainian forces made substantial progress towards Kherson, which was under Russian occupation, endangering Russian units. The potential fall of Kherson was perceived as a catalyst for Russia to contemplate a tactical nuclear attack as a deterrent against further territorial losses and possible attacks on Russia.
From late summer to fall 2022, the National Security Council would hold meetings to develop contingency plans for an unambiguous indication of an imminent nuclear attack or an actual attack.
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At the same time, Russia’s propaganda apparatus spread a fabricated story about a Ukrainian dirty bomb, raising concerns among US officials that it could serve as a pretext for a Russian nuclear attack, CNN added.
In October 2022, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu engaged in a series of telephone conversations with defense officials from the United States, United Kingdom, France and Turkey, expressing the Kremlin’s concern about potential provocations from Kiev regarding the deployment of a dirty bomb.
However, according to the report, US and other Western officials have dismissed the Russian warnings, rejecting the validity of their warnings.
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This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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