...the US, NATO countries could inflict critical, ''just as much'' damage with conventional smart weapons, if the Russians used tactical nukes ...they wouldn't have to retaliate with a nuke
..we have to ask the question: what would be Russia's objective in using a ''single'' nuke in the Ukraine? to scare the West?
....would it be a full scale nuke war? or would it be contained to a single or few nukes exchanged?
No question, personally I don't believe that NATO would escalate into nuclear exchanges if russia was to use a tac-nuke on Ukrainian soil against Ukrainian targets. The situation would obviously be different if they used a nuke against a NATO country. The stakes for a symmetrical escalation would be way way too high, especially since NATO lack any tactical nuclear options. Any retaliation would have to be on Ukrainian soil as well I think, rather than a direct nuclear attack on russia. So the response would only serve to make a good chunk of the east uninhabitable.
Now you could do what the west traditionally does, launch a barrage of tomahawks at select locations such as command and control bunkers or depots to match the level of destruction, but it would have to be a *very* careful high wire act as to not drag NATO into a war it obviously doesn't want to fight (with good reason).
The purpose of a nuke would not be to scare NATO, it would be to shatter Ukrainian morale and resistance, somewhat like the bombs over japan. The Russians are fighting on Ukrainian soil after all, and showing that you are willing to sow the ground with salt, in a way that can't be countered by the Ukrainian forces would be devastating. Aside from taking out a big chunk of the army.
The hell? Only injured? Why didnt they kill him in one strike and end it
Indeed, the Polish did start WW2, or rather the British guarantee of Poland did. And American was certainly the aggressor against Japan before WW2.that's like saying Poland started WW2 --or the US was aggressive toward Japan in WW2
gee--I happen to remember the Pearl Harbor attack...you obviously don't know history--the US was negotiating with Japan, and then Japan did a surprise attackIndeed, the Polish did start WW2, or rather the British guarantee of Poland did. And American was certainly the aggressor against Japan before WW2.
Russians hoped that it would take a lot of effort for Germany to fight France and Britain and then they could have had an easy passage to conquer Europe to pillage and rape and steal, usual perversions. Barbarosa was just preventing strike. Anyway, your every post gives a nice picture of Russian sick mind. Schizophrenic, fatalistic, nihilistic, paranoic and hateful. Who in right mind can wellcome such things?Indeed, the Polish did start WW2, or rather the British guarantee of Poland did. And American was certainly the aggressor against Japan before WW2.
hahahahhaIndeed, the Polish did start WW2, or rather the British guarantee of Poland did. And American was certainly the aggressor against Japan before WW2.
The guarantee pulled UK into war, not started the war!Indeed, the Polish did start WW2, or rather the British guarantee of Poland did. And American was certainly the aggressor against Japan before WW2.