Do you know how such officers are chosen? I was speculating that these are relatively quiet, cushy postings. Or perhaps such postings are boring, and reserved for punishment? In any event, what are the odds that either a) a verified order from Putin is ignored, or b) that a field officer would launch based on loss of contact with C&C?

I get into such detail because it is my guess that Putin won't back down, and will escalate until he gives a launch order, and it will be up to these field officers to reject a first launch order (or question the veracity of a retaliatory launch order).