[eek2121]

Tell that to the folks on the front lines, along with folks on both sides, military or not, who have had to deal with it.

Russia would never nuke Ukraine to begin with. They know that by doing so, most of the world would unite against them, and many, including Putin, would be on the chopping block.

[unyttigfjelltol]

Russian self-image is protector of the family of Slavic people and nations. Resorting openly to destruction of a Slavic people would be an incoherent tactic.

That self-perception lowered the gate for interference in Ukrainian affairs in the first place, but also set a ceiling on escalation.

[vogre]

> Russia would never nuke Ukraine to begin with

Mostly because that's useless. Ukrainian weapon production and economy is located in Europe. Ukraine is basicaly western PMC now.

If nuclear war starts, nukes would be falling on European cities and facilities, not Ukrainian.

[pjc50]

Everyone keeps forgetting about the French independent at sea nuclear deterrent.

I wonder when Poland will decide it's time for them to have The Bomb?

[einpoklum]

> Russia would never nuke Ukraine to begin with.

Russia is not fighting Ukraine, it is fighting NATO in Ukraine. And, IIANM, it has the capability of hitting non-Ukranie NATO targets in various places around the world - with cruise missiles and such. The assumption that "oh, Russia will never do this" is actually quite reckless and dangerous; and I don't just mean dangerous to whoever would get attacked, but dangerous for people all over the world, as we may find ourselves in a nuclear exchange with multiple blasts in multiple locations with radioactive matter spread far and wide.

Regarding the drones - definitely agree with you that drones have completely reshaped the experience on the front lines of this war. I understand that in a recent exercise with NATO forces, a Ukranian unit of drone operators essentially "took out" a couple of battalions:

https://www.krone.at/4046529

[sp4cec0wb0y]

> Russia is not fighting Ukraine, it is fighting NATO in Ukraine.

If that is the case they are doing a poor job at doing so, without even fighting the full might of NATO.

[8note]

however, nato is fighting the full might of china, russia, iran, and north korea. the whole set. and china is fighting for both ukraine and russia at the same time. why arent you worried about nato randomly attacling china so china stops supplying russia with drone materials? or north korea so they stop providing shells and soldiers?

russia isnt going to attack nato because it knows it isnt currently fighting nato, and bringing nato into the war will be worse for russia than keeping nato as an arms supplier only.

[greedo]

Such nonsense. The EU may be supplying Ukraine with some munitions etc, but if NATO was actively involved, the war would have been over in a year; either conventionally or via nuclear weapons.

[matheusmoreira]

> most of the world would unite against them

Seriously doubt any country on Earth is going to attack Russia and risk global thermonuclear annihilation over anything other than a direct attack on their own lands.

[dh2022]

I think if Russia drops a nuke on Ukraine then even China will desert them.

India for sure will stop trading with Russia, lest it be seen to condone such insanity (India has a nuclear armed rival next door-India will not want Pakistan get any ideas).

I think this is the only reason Russia did not nuke Ukraine.

[matheusmoreira]

Well, yes. Stop trading with them? I can believe that.

I don't believe for a second that even a single country will openly declare war on Russia over it or attempt to nuke Russia in return.

[jasonfarnon]

" many, including Putin, would be on the chopping block."

I think that's the above comment's point. Attack moscow -> existential threat -> they're already on the chopping block -> nukes.