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Coverage dated September 26, 2022 to October 3, 2022

Putin raises the specter of using nuclear weapons in his war with Ukraine

Headline from NPR, on the newest of 4 developments

As Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, U.S. officials are assessing the threat level and planning how the U.S. could respond.

NPR's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

Developments in this update

4 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. If Putin Nukes Ukraine, Russia Could Win the War

    Headline from The National Interest ·

  2. Ukraine: Risk of Russian tactical nuclear strike is 'very high'

    Headline from Washington Examiner ·

  3. Putin's nuclear threats are meant to 'manipulate' global uncertainty and sow confusion — and it's working, expert says

    Headline from Insider ·

  4. Newest

    Putin raises the specter of using nuclear weapons in his war with Ukraine

    Headline from NPR ·

2 reports not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

22 articles, oldest first.

  1. Insider

    Russia's former president said nuclear threats are not a bluff, and that NATO won't step in if Russia nukes Ukraine (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Dmitry Medvedev repeated Russia's nuclear threats to Ukraine, saying it's "not a bluff." One expert told Insider it's because Putin is "in a corner."

  2. Washington Times

    How real are Putin’s nuclear threats in Ukraine? (opens Washington Times)

    Published

    Washington Times's feed description

    Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that he won’t hesitate to use nuclear weapons to ward off Ukraine’s attempt to reclaim control of Moscow-occupied areas that the Kremlin is about to annex.

  3. Washington Examiner

    Ukraine: Risk of Russian tactical nuclear strike is 'very high' (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    Ukraine faces a “very high” risk that Russia will use tactical nuclear weapons, officials say, as Moscow scrambles to reverse recent battlefield losses.

  4. Al Jazeera

    Could the Ukraine war go nuclear? (opens Al Jazeera)

    Published

    Al Jazeera's feed description

    When Putin said he would use ‘all weapons available’ to defend Russia, it is assumed he meant nuclear bombs as well.

  5. Forbes

    What Would Happen If Putin Ordered A Nuclear Strike In Ukraine? (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Even if Russia only used a small “tactical” nuclear weapon, there could be devastating consequences, experts warn.

  6. PBS NewsHour

    How real are Putin's nuclear threats to Ukraine? (opens PBS NewsHour)

    Published

    PBS NewsHour's feed description

    Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that he won't hesitate to use nuclear weapons to ward off Ukraine's attempt to reclaim control of Moscow-occupied areas that the Kremlin is about to annex.

  7. Insider

    Nuclear weapons expert says we should be 'extraordinarily concerned' about Putin nuking Ukraine (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Hans Kristensen, a nuclear expert at the Federation of American Scientists, said he's increasingly concerned that Vladimir Putin could go nuclear.

  8. Fox News

    Putin swipes at US in hostile speech amid annexation of Ukraine, says it set 'precedent' for nuclear warfare (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Russian President Vladimir Putin took aim at the U.S. in his speech on the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory and escalated the threat of nuclear warfare.

  9. Insider

    Putin's nuclear threats are meant to 'manipulate' global uncertainty and sow confusion — and it's working, expert says (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Analysts believe the threat of imminent nuclear war remains low. But Putin's recent threats have undoubtedly escalated the war at home and abroad.

  10. Insider

    Putin's annexation of Ukrainian land raises the risks a nuclear weapon will be used and tanks the possibility of talks to end the war (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    Putin sees this moment as one of "civilizational conflict with the West," a former senior intelligence officer told Insider.

  11. Politico

    Opinion | Putin’s Nuclear Threat Marks the Start of a New Era (opens Politico)

    Published

    Politico's feed description

    It’s clear that nuclear deterrence isn’t protecting the world.

  12. Forbes

    Here’s What Would Happen If Putin Ordered A Nuclear Strike In Ukraine (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    Moscow has vowed to defend the seized Ukrainian territories by all means, and experts warn that even if Russia only used a small “tactical” nuclear weapon, there could be devastating consequences.

  13. Insider

    US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticizes Putin's 'nuclear saber-rattling' but says he doesn't 'see anything right now' indicating the Russian leader will use nuclear weapons (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    "To be clear, the guy who makes that decision, I mean, it's one man," Austin told CNN of Putin's warnings of a potential nuclear conflict.

  14. The National Interest

    If Putin Nukes Ukraine, Russia Could Win the War (opens The National Interest)

    Published

    The National Interest's feed description

    If Ukraine and the West continue to escalate, Putin will respond by doing what he has repeatedly warned he would do: employ nuclear weapons.

  15. CBS News

    As Ukraine retakes ground claimed by Russia, fear grows that Putin will lash out with nuclear weapons (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    Ukrainian forces are advancing fast into regions that Russia just declared its own territory, and Putin is already punishing civilians for it.

  16. NPR

    Putin raises the specter of using nuclear weapons in his war with Ukraine (opens NPR)

    Published

    NPR's feed description

    As Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, U.S. officials are assessing the threat level and planning how the U.S. could respond.

  17. Insider

    It's 'very hard to say' whether Putin is bluffing about using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, CIA director says (opens Insider)

    Published

    Insider's feed description

    CIA Director William Burns called Russia's talk of nuclear weapons "deeply reckless" and said it should be taken "very seriously."

  18. Washington Times

    Putin’s nuclear war is a real threat (opens Washington Times)

    Published

    Washington Times's feed description

    The potential that Vladimir Putin could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine must be taken extremely seriously.

  19. Al Jazeera

    Will Putin use nuclear weapons against Ukraine? Analysts weigh in (opens Al Jazeera)

    Published

    Al Jazeera's feed description

    Russian president has repeatedly pledged to use all means at his disposal to keep his country safe.

  20. RedState

    Leading Nuclear Expert Predicts U.S. Response if Putin Is Stupid Enough to Use Nukes in Ukraine (opens RedState)

    Published

    RedState's feed description

    If Putin goes nuclear, he'll be removed from power — one way or another.

  21. The Daily Signal

    Putin’s Delusional Nuclear Gambit Cannot Be Dismissed Out of Hand (opens The Daily Signal)

    Published

    The Daily Signal's feed description

    We prefer to think that no country, not even Vladimir Putin's Russia, would ever use nuclear weapons. But don't be so sure.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

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