Putin cannot strike with nuclear weapons, is more likely to blow up Russia's Kursk nuclear power plant, declare catastrophe and end war — Piontkovsky

He said this on Espreso. 

"The chance of Russia using nuclear weapons is very low. There are four reasons why this is unlikely. Firstly, launching a nuclear attack wouldn't change the outcome of the war. Even if they hit a Ukrainian city or Poznań in Poland, it wouldn't make America helpless or cause its collapse. Secondly, the Americans made it clear to Putin in October that such a strike would result in his own death. He doesn't have a button to press for a nuclear attack; it's just a metaphor. It requires coordination among many officers and troops. Thirdly, China strictly forbids Russia from using nuclear weapons. However, as we can see, an attack on the Zaporizhzhia HPP has already undermined these reasons,” he noted. 

According to the political scientist, Putin is enraged by the actions of the reasons that prohibit him from using nuclear weapons.

"It is more likely that Putin might consider causing a major disaster in Russia, like blowing up the Kursk nuclear power plant, and then claiming it was the result of the war ending. He is unable, afraid, and unwilling to carry out a nuclear attack, so he might try compensating with another catastrophe. There are also other options for similar disasters, like targeting the titanium plant in Crimea. If Crimea is lost, Putin may choose to let it suffer. These scenarios are more significant and serious than using nuclear weapons," Piontkovsky emphasized.

• IAEA Director General Grossi visited the ZNPP on June 22 and stated that the situation there is very fragile.

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that intelligence has obtained information suggesting that Russia is contemplating a terrorist attack at the temporarily occupied ZNPP. This attack could lead to a radiation release. He emphasized that the international community has sufficient capability to prevent any radiation-related incidents, including a full-scale disaster. It is crucial to apply pressure and take action in order to avoid such a catastrophic event.