U.S. Official: The Likelihood of Putin Using Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine is Very Low

Amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia following a drone attack on the Kremlin, a senior U.S. intelligence official told a group of U.S. senators that the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons in Ukraine is very low. Avril Haines, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, who appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, stated that the probability of Russia employing nuclear weapons in Ukraine is very unlikely. This American official's remarks came after an escalation of tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. Two days ago, Russian media reported an unsuccessful drone attack, claiming that Ukraine was responsible for the incident. Shortly thereafter, Russian officials pointed fingers at Ukraine and the U.S. Volodymyr Zelensky, just hours after the video of the drone attack was released, declared that Ukraine had no role in the attack, and the U.S. dismissed Russia's claims of involvement in the drone attack on the Kremlin as 'ridiculous.' In U.S. military circles, it was suggested that Russia intends to launch a new wave of attacks on Ukraine under the pretext of this drone incident at the Kremlin. Some even raised the possibility of a nuclear attack. The U.S. and Russia have suspended the New START treaty, which is a nuclear control agreement between Washington and Moscow. Following the suggestion of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Russia invaded the country. The U.S. and European countries have provided financial and military support to Ukraine. Contrary to Russia's expectations, over a year into the war, it has not achieved significant success in Ukraine. Zelensky: Ukraine did not attack Putin; we will refer his fate to the Hague. The United Nations: The grain shortage caused by the Russia-Ukraine war continues to exacerbate the hunger crisis. Russia conceals facts about civilian casualties in Ukraine. Zelensky at the International Criminal Court: I am confident that Putin will be convicted in this court. The U.S. called Russia's claim of involvement in the drone attack on the Kremlin 'ridiculous.'