Zelensky: Putin is preparing Russia for use of nuclear weapons

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian officials have begun to prepare their society” for possible use of nuclear weapons, but added that he does not believe Russia is ready to use them.

In an interview with the BBC, President Zelensky denied to have sparked attacks on Russia, claiming an earlier statement had been misunderstood. Over the past few weeks, the Ukrainian Army has recovered large parts of the territory in a successful counteroffensive that has forced Russian troops to retreat.

The incidents, widely described as illegal, have raised fears of a possible escalation.

President Putin and other senior Russian officials have suggested that possibly smaller nuclear weapons, tactical weapons can be used to protect those areas, although Western officials say there is no evidence that Moscow is prepared to do so.