In fall 2022 when Russian military was breaking under Ukrainian pressure, the intelligence community collected intelligence suggesting contingency planning for nuclear use, and assessed there was a 50% chance Russia might use nuclear weapons if Ukraine advanced rapidly and threatened Putin's grip on Crimea.

factualpending

Speaker

William Burns

Evidence Quote

We had collected intelligence suggesting contingency planning and assessed risk of nuclear use if Ukraine threatened Crimea

Source

William J. Burns: America in a World of Upheaval | Foreign Affairs InterviewForeign Affairs
Created: 8/12/2026, 6:46:13 PM

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