US intelligence considers Putin's nuclear threats "very unusual" but intended to "intimidate"

This was reported by CNN.

"Obviously, we take this very seriously when it signals in this way. But we believe that it is actually signaling that it is trying to deter NATO from participating in the war in Ukraine. That was its main goal." said National Intelligence Director Evril Gaines.

According to her, intelligence does not consider Putin's statement a direct threat to the United States.

Gaines also noted that the announcement that Russia's strategic forces would be transferred to "special readiness status" did not apply to "a technical term as we understand it in their system."

She added that intelligence is closely monitoring any Russian strategic movements, but "at this stage we do not see anything that indicates any different actions from those we have seen in the past." 

We remind that on February 27 the president of Russia Vladimir Putin ordered the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense to transfer the Russian army to a special mode of combat duty allegedly because of aggressive statements from the West.