Nuclear Arsenal’s Paradox: Russia’s Struggle in Ukraine
Examining why Russia, despite its vast nuclear arsenal, has not used tactical nuclear weapons amid ongoing Ukraine attacks.
POLICY WIRE — Moscow, Russia — The protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine raises critical questions about the efficacy of nuclear deterrence. Despite repeated drone and missile attacks on Russian soil, Moscow has refrained from deploying its tactical nuclear weapons, contrary to earlier threats.
A July 1 report by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights the current stalemate in the conflict. Although approximately 90 percent of East Donbas remains under Russian control, ground advances have decelerated significantly, averaging less than 100 meters per day.
This situation prompts a reevaluation of the strategic value of Russia’s extensive nuclear arsenal. If nuclear weapons are intended to serve as a deterrent, their failure to be deployed in the face of persistent attacks calls into question their actual utility.
The war’s progression indicates that conventional military tactics and ground maneuvers continue to define the conflict’s dynamics, despite the looming shadow of nuclear capability.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
