Security expert weighs in on likelihood Putin will launch a nuclear attack

A security expert says Vladimir Putin’s order that nuclear forces be put on high alert is “a bit of bravado” and while the rest of the world should take it seriously, there’s no need to panic.

Former intelligence analyst Dr David Wright-Neville says the move doesn’t mean what many think it does.

“It sounds dramatic, and of course it is dramatic, but we need to remember that his submarine-based and his land-based nuclear missiles are always on alert, constantly,” he explained to Neil Mitchell.

“What he’s really doing is saying ‘I’m putting the bomber command on alert’. It’s really a bit of bravado.”

Dr Wright-Neville thinks the move is as part of Putin’s “strategic craziness” in an attempt to intimidate the West, and it’s “extremely unlikely” he’ll actually launch a nuclear attack.

But the threat alone is harmful.

“It does cross a threshold and it’s incredibly dangerous because it normalises this as a part of conflict,” he said.

Putin expected the conflict would be over quickly, and as it becomes increasingly clear that’s unlikely, Dr Wright-Neville says the Russian president is panicking.

“Some of the reports I’m seeing are saying he wanted it over by the 10th of March, within two weeks of the invasion. It’s certainly not going to be and I think he sees that the European interventions on behalf of the Ukraine could drag it out for even longer,” he said.

“That’s his worst case scenario … it panics him, it’s going to unravel all his plans.

“I think it is a sign that our efforts are working.”

Press PLAY below to hear Dr Wright-Neville’s view on how likely a Russian nuclear attack is

Russian nuclear forces on high alert as Ukraine announces peace talks