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

A senior Russian lawmaker has openly called for Moscow to use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine to force Kyiv to capitulate, as concerns grow over possible further Russian escalation. Alexei Zhuravlev, a State Duma deputy and leader of the nationalist Rodina party, said Russia should use tactical nuclear weapons if necessary and dismissed any debate over whether Moscow should cross the nuclear threshold.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Russia must strike in such a way that the enemy understands that it must capitulate,” Zhuravlev said in a video address, posted on Telegram, on Sunday. “There should not even be such a discussion. 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.” Zhuravlev’s comments come amid renewed reporting about concerns inside the US and Europe over whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could escalate the war further. Bloomberg previously reported, citing sources close to the Kremlin, that Putin was preparing for further escalation in Ukraine and could potentially consider tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort to avoid defeat. There is no evidence that Putin has decided to use nuclear weapons, however. CIA chief’s Moscow visit The nuclear rhetoric follows CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s unexpected visit to Moscow on Aug. 25. According to Axios sources, Ratcliffe sought to determine whether Putin could be persuaded to abandon further escalation and return to negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine. Other Topics of Interest How Russia’s Cultural Projects Conceal Their Human Atrocities Russia’s cultural outreach yearns to present a polished image abroad, but performances by Kremlin-linked artists can serve as a form of soft power that distracts from the realities of war. The New York Times reported that Ratcliffe delivered a “grim assessment” of the Russian military and economy and urged Moscow to reach an agreement before its position deteriorates further. Shortly after the visit, Russia conducted a test of a nuclear-capable missile capable of reaching the United States. The Defense Ministry did not disclose which missile was tested. Bloomberg reported that there were no indications at the time that Putin was preparing to actually use nuclear weapons. China warns Moscow Any Russian nuclear strike would also risk a major confrontation with Moscow’s own partners. China has strongly opposed the use of nuclear weapons in the war and has reportedly warned the Kremlin against taking such a step. Alisa is the Head of News and a correspondent at Kyiv Post, where she leads the newsroom’s coverage of breaking events and global developments. With over seven years of experience in TV journalism, Alisa has reported on international and Ukrainian politics, making complex stories easier to understand. Back in September 2022, Alisa joined the Kyiv Post team.