There May be Imminent Nuclear Weapon Strike By Putin To Avenge Troops' Defeat In Ukraine: Ex-NATO Chief

An imminent nuclear strike on Ukraine by Russia was deemed plausible according to a former NATO chief. Russia expert and former NATO Chief Rose Gottemoeller believes the Russian president Vladimir Putin could launch a nuclear strike on the Black Sea, or possibly at a major Ukrainian military base. She said the attack would be a show of force from the Russian government to strike fear in the hearts of Ukrainians and their western allies, who have been supplying weapons and ammunition to the country for several months.

The former chief remarked that the strike could possibly force Ukraine and the West to surrender but also added this would be Putin’s way of turning to desperate measures after losing ground on the Ukrainian front.

HullLive reported that these warnings from Gottemoeller comes amid small Ukrainian victories which have retaken a hundred miles previously held by Russian forces. Russian ground troops reportedly have been withdrawing to the border while such victories from Ukraine are being considered great advances to their efforts to counter Russian offensives.

“I fear that they will strike back now in really unpredictable ways and ways that may even involve weapons of mass destruction,” Gottemoeller said.

Gottemoeller is a U.S. diplomat and former deputy general secretary of NATO. She approached Radio 4’s "Today" program citing that Ukrainian forces are gaining momentum in the conflict with consistent victories in retaking key territories. She added that the last 48-72 hours were quite remarkable for the Ukrainian military. She said that the Russians were not expecting an attack in the Northeast against Kharkiv, adding that this was a prime example of Russia being taken by surprise.

When asked if this could be a turning point in the war, Gottemoeller replied that she hopes this is the case, however, she expressed concern for Putin fearing he may take drastic action to regain his lost foothold in Ukraine and turn to weapons of mass destruction for results. In response to queries, about nuclear weapons being used, she answered in affirmation and that Russia may demonstrate its nuclear power in the Black Sea or perhaps a Ukrainian military facility.

Russian military forces have been retreating from key towns and areas back to the border. Sources said that they may be regrouping for a possible counter-offensive against the Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said his troops were able to free over 6,000 square kilometers of land in just 12 days during a surprise attack.