‘If We Need to Strike, We Will Strike’: Russian Lawmaker Calls for Nuclear Strike on Ukraine to Force Kyiv to Surrender

A prominent Russian politician has advocated for the use of a nuclear weapon against Ukraine to force the country to surrender, escalating concerns about further Russian aggression. Alexei Zhuravlev, a deputy in the State Duma and leader of the nationalist Rodina party, stated that Russia should deploy tactical nuclear weapons if needed, dismissing any debate on whether Moscow should cross the nuclear threshold.

In a video address on Telegram, Zhuravlev declared, "Russia must strike in such a way that the enemy understands it must capitulate. If necessary, we are obliged to use [tactical nuclear weapons]. If we need to strike, we will strike. And that is not up for discussion." These comments come amid growing apprehension in the US and Europe about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin might escalate the conflict further.

While there is no concrete evidence indicating Putin's decision to employ nuclear weapons, the rhetoric aligns with recent reports suggesting Putin is preparing for additional escalation in Ukraine. The CIA Director John Ratcliffe's visit to Moscow on August 25 aimed to assess whether Putin could be convinced to cease further escalation and engage in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe provided a "grim assessment" of the Russian military and economy, urging Moscow to seek an agreement before its situation worsened. Following the visit, Russia conducted a test of a nuclear-capable missile capable of reaching the United States, though there was no confirmation from the Kremlin that Putin intended to use nuclear weapons.

The use of nuclear weapons would pose significant risks, potentially triggering a major confrontation with Russia's allies, particularly China, which has strongly opposed the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict and reportedly warned the Kremlin against such a step.