(NewsNation) — Russian President Vladimir Putin response to Saturday’s bridge bombing was his first public comment since President Joe Biden told a group of Democrats that Putin’s threat to order nuclear weapons was real.
Putin on Sunday calledattack the vast Kerch Bridgeto Crimea “terrorist acts” carried out by the special services of Ukraine.
“There is no doubt that this is an act of terrorism aimed at destroying Russia’s very important civilian infrastructure,” Putin said.
The bridge is the only physical link between Russia and Crimea, which was part of Ukraine until 2014 when Putin annexed it by force.
It is also an important supply route for the Russian military to get weapons and supplies into Ukraine.
The bombing of the bridge was just the latest in a series of setbacks for Russia.
Ukraine’s latest offensive has retaken thousands of kilometers of territory from Russia.
The Russian military reported a shortage of supplies, low morale, and had fled several strategic cities and retreated.
It was clear that the Russian military had its back to the wall. That is why some say the threat from Putin to use nuclear force at this point is very serious.
bidenstated that the riskNuclear “Armageddon” is at its highest level since the Cuban Missile Crisis,” adding it was “the first time since the Cuban missile crisis that we have an immediate threat from using nuclear weapons if in fact things continue on the way they were intended.” .”
Admiral John Kirby said Biden’s rhetoric and use of the term “armageddon” was appropriate.
“The president reflects the very high stakes that are at play right now,” he said. “When you have modern nuclear power and the leader of modern nuclear power is willing to use irresponsible rhetoric like Vladimir Putin has, several times in just the last week or two.”
Putin’s remarks come as fighting and shelling continues in Ukraine.
Russian planes fired 12 rockets into the residential area of Zaporizhzhia, killing 13 people and wounding more than 50.
Ukraine’s defense minister pleaded with Russian soldiers to drop their weapons and leave their posts, asking them, how do you want to be remembered?
“You can still save Russia from tragedy, and Russian soldiers from humiliation,” he added. “But time is running out.”
Retired Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin said he not sure Putin will switch to his nuclear arsenal soon.
“I don’t think it’s very likely at this point Putin will use nuclear weapons, even tactical nuclear weapons, and the reason is that he’s gone too far into this war now and the war is over if he does that because I believe a response from NATO will not be a response.” nuclear,” Boykin said. “This would be an all-out conventional response that would bomb every target in Ukraine that has ties to its army or its military on the ground there. They will destroy it.”