Russia prepared to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine in 2022.

The conversation of Russian General Sergey Surovikin about the possible use of nuclear weapons against the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the crossing of the Dnieper was intercepted by American intelligence in October 2022. According to The New York Times, Surovikin discussed the use of tactical nuclear weapons to prevent Ukrainians from reaching Crimea via the Dnieper.

According to intelligence, at that Time the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons in Ukraine was at a level of 5-10%, but after this conversation, the risks in case of a collapse of the Russian defense rose to 50%.

Military personnel from Wiesbaden, who assisted Kyiv with intelligence, recommended continuing the offensive in the southern direction. At the same time, in Washington, advisors to Joe Biden were concernedly asking themselves whether they would have to push the Ukrainian army to slow the enemy's advance.

Chance for a critical strike

At that moment, the Armed Forces of Ukraine had the opportunity to deliver a critical blow to the Russian army. Ukrainians liberated Kherson and the western bank of the Dnieper, but further advancement was halted due to a lack of ammunition.

According to reports, dissatisfaction led to strikes from Himars, which destroyed over 100 Russian soldiers weekly. This resulted in the demoralization of Russian troops.

It is worth noting that earlier The New York Times reported that Ukraine conducted a secret unsuccessful attack on the Crimean Bridge.

Changes in plans

In 2023, Ukrainian forces also planned to concentrate the main counteroffensive forces in the direction of Melitopol in the Zaporizhia region. However, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi made changes to these plans, redeploying part of the forces to Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.