Official NATO press releases or statements from NATO member states

Putin Affirms Nuclear Deterrence Amid 50% Chance of Nuclear Use in October 2022 Crisis

Nov 11, 2024, 10:12 PM

In a recent speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the importance of the country's nuclear capabilities, stating that the 'Nuclear Triad' remains a reliable guarantor of Russia's sovereignty. This statement comes amid revelations that in October 2022, there was significant concern regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. U.S. intelligence reports indicated a 50% chance that Russia would deploy a nuclear weapon, prompting crisis meetings in the UK government. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss reportedly studied weather maps to assess potential fallout scenarios, with fears that radiation could impact Britain. These developments highlight the heightened tensions and the serious implications of nuclear threats in the context of the war in Ukraine.