Putin 'distracting us from his troubles!' Russia's high alert nuclear threat is cover-up

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Russia’s decision to put its nuclear deterrence forces on “high alert” is more about political theater than military necessity. Speaking to Sky News, Wallace argued that President Vladimir Putin is trying to shift attention from the problems his forces are facing in Ukraine.

Despite Putin’s televised order, Wallace noted Britain has not observed any significant changes in Russia’s nuclear posture.

The announcement came during a meeting between Putin, Russia’s defence ministry, and the chief of general staff. In that meeting, Putin accused NATO countries of making “aggressive statements” against Russia and condemned Western sanctions as “illegitimate.” He then instructed Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov to place the deterrence forces in a “special mode of combat duty” — though it’s unclear exactly what that entails.

Analysts say the move carries an unmistakable nuclear undertone. Pavel Podvig, director of the Russian Nuclear Forces Project, called Putin’s remarks “a very explicit nuclear threat” and urged the global community to make it clear that such threats are unacceptable.

Others have dismissed the move as desperation. Loukas Christodoulou, a journalist in Sweden, mocked the Kremlin’s strategy, noting that after failed missile strikes, paratrooper assaults, and the deployment of Chechen fighters, Putin is now “waving the nuclear card because he knows it’s the last one he has left.”

The U.S. has strongly condemned the rhetoric. UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called Putin’s comments “totally unacceptable” and said Washington will continue working to counter his escalation.

Russia possesses roughly 6,000 nuclear warheads — the largest stockpile in the world. This show of force comes as Russian troops move closer to Kyiv and Ukraine agrees to meet with Russian envoys for talks.

On the first day of the invasion, Putin warned that anyone interfering would face “consequences greater than any in history,” language many saw as a veiled nuclear threat. He claimed the operation was aimed at protecting Russia from those “who took Ukraine hostage” and are using it “against our country and our people.”