Russian nuclear blackmail remains ineffective

The degradation of Russian morale in the trenches of Avdiivka and Bakhmut has driven Moscow to try altering the course of the war with a revival of nuclear blackmail tactics. On October 30, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that Western attempts to inflict strategic defeat on Russia has increased the risk of a direct clash between nuclear powers. Yet each time Russian leaders engage in nuclear brinksmanship, resolute international disapproval forces them to take a step back.