What can happen during a fight when a dominant, highly favored boxer struggles against a seemingly inferior opponent?
Answer: He’ll get frustrated and desperate, and lose the confidence and composure he had when the fight started. Remember when Mike Tyson bit off both of Evander Holyfield’s ears in their 1997 superfight? That’s a prime example.
Perhaps Russia, in its 27th month-long war against Ukraine, is that powerful, highly-touted boxer who’s taking a beating and starting to unravel in the ring before our very eyes.
In an apparent attempt to flex its muscles and evoke fear in Ukraine and among its allies, Russia recently announced plans to conduct tactical nuclear weapons drills near Ukraine, sparking strong condemnation from disarmament advocates and international organizations.
If you can’t win conventionally, why not attempt to beat your opponent into submission by threats to resort to unconventional warfare?
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, fears of nuclear war have intensified, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials heightening tensions through rhetoric and military actions. The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the use of nuclear weapons, particularly as Russia possesses the largest nuclear arsenal globally.
Despite reassurances from some Western and Ukrainian officials that Russia may be bluffing, the Kremlin has indicated a willingness to break the nuclear taboo if Russia perceives its existence to be threatened.
The Russian Defense Ministry justified the upcoming drills as a response to provocative statements and alleged threats from Western officials and NATO’s deployment of troops near Russian borders. While some experts view the drills as a signal from Russia, they caution against overreaction from NATO and emphasize the need for condemnation of nuclear threats while avoiding further escalation.
Desperate folks can be dangerous – Russia might not be bluffing
Regardless of what happens going forward, Russia has already lost a lot against Ukraine. They’ve been mightily exposed militarily, much of their weaponry has been destroyed or taken by the Ukrainians and, according to U.S. intelligence, they’ve lost a whopping 87 percent of the troops they had before the start of the Ukraine war.
At this point, because they’ve already lost so much, Russia might believe it has nothing to lose should they resort to using nuclear weapons.
Given the circumstances and the fact Russia, in a bullying fashion, initiated this conflict, a loss to a much smaller underdog in Ukraine might be too much for Russian President Vladimir Putin to endure.
Will Russia eventually use tactical nukes against Ukraine?
Who knows?
However, they seem increasingly frustrated and desperate as this war continues to drag on.
… And desperate people can be dangerous.
