RUSSIA: Medvedev-Russia 'Not Bluffing' On Use Of Tactical Nukes

Dmitry Medvedev, former president and current deputy chairman of the Security Council, has said that Russia is 'not bluffing' when it comes to the potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Medvedev added that the war in Ukraine was moving towards the 'worst-case scenario' and that "no one can rule out it escalating to the last stage".

• Medvedev's comments come after the Biden administration was seen to give permission to Kyiv to use US-made weapons to strike directly into Russia from territory around Kharkiv as Ukrainian forces seek to repel Russian advances in the region. 
• Reports suggest that the US has maintained its stance that Ukraine cannot use American-made long-range missiles to strike territory deep inside the Russian Federation. 
• This has not stopped Ukraine from launching medium-range missiles and drones against key Russian infrastructure, particlarly facilities linked to the country's O&G and energy sectors. 
• This is not the first time that Russian officials, and in particular Medvedev - who has become one of the most hawkish voices in Russian foreign policy and is seen as something of an 'attack dog' for President Vladimir Putin - has talked up the risk of nuclear confrontation. Nevertheless, the prospect of such conflict - that would risk a direct NATO-Russia war - will continue to garner significant regional and global attention.