Putin puts Russian nuclear forces on high alert as west steps up sanctions
ft.com
ft.com
“Huge motorcade just left the Kremlin at speed”
You need only one who starts one rocket.
I’m not sure what the benefits are of nuclear war.
The only miscalculation I can think of is assuming the other side won’t respond.
You can't be sure how strong the climate of fear inside the Russian chain of command is. Consider the common bystander effect: almost everybody is expecting somebody else to act and do what's necessary but inconvenient and potentially lethal.
When the threat is to you and your family, I think fight or flight is more common.
But yeah if the chain of consent thinks they can launch nukes without suffering retaliation then I could see a bystander effect coming into play.
So far it seems the war isn't going their way, the Ukrainian resolve is stiffer, and worldwide support is pretty decent ( in terms of armaments, financial, humanitarian, etc.). And sanctions have been quick and hard.
I wouldn't be surprised if a man used to getting his way is throwing a fit. Considering the invasion ( there's no way it ends well), it's time we stop assuming Putin is rational.
I hope there are people around him who can stop him.
What? Surely Putin didn't think the world will just go la la la, while he invades a neighboring nation?