A prominent politician who was in charge of the Russian Space Agency has said Vladimir Putin now has “no option” but to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Dmitry Rogozin - also a former deputy prime minister who is now close to the frontline - made clear Moscow is facing war defeat unless the dictator unleashes his atomic weapons.
Until last year, he was in charge of testing Putin’s giant Satan-2 hypersonic nuclear-cable missile, known in Russia as Sarmat, and Moscow’s array of space satellites.
But now - from the war zone - he admitted Russian forces are facing deep trouble in Ukraine’s expected imminent counteroffensive, unless Putin goes nuclear.
“It must be said that under our doctrine we have every right to use tactical nuclear weapons,” said Rogozin, dressed in military fatigues with a customised AK-47 machine gun slung over his shoulder.
“That is precisely what they are there for — this great equaliser.
“For now, there is a clear disparity in the forces and conventional weapons in favour of the enemy.”
This was due to the West’s supplies to Ukraine, he made clear.
“Therefore the best method to destroy [Ukraine’s] counter-offensive is to use tactical nuclear weapons, with understandable consequences, of course.
“I think there is no other option at the moment.
“I want to say we are waiting for the [Ukrainian] offensive, we are ready for it,” said Rogozin.
“We understand that it will be very hard, because they have a lot of power on their side, but nobody on our side will give up their positions.”
The radiation pulse from a 1 KT device is estimated to cause 50 per cent mortality within a half mile radius from radiation exposure unless there is immediate medical intervention.
The more powerful the weapon, the greater the radiation.
A former Russian ambassador to NATO, Rogozin earlier in the war sought to scare the West with threats over Russian nuclear weapons.
He was wounded in December as Ukraine struck a shell at his 59th birthday party in a Donetsk hotel.
Two men were killed, and the pro-Putin war enthusiast sustained wounds to his back, arm, and bottom which required him to be airlifted to Moscow last month.
Rogozin - promised a future state job by Putin - is in the war zone heading a group of military advisers and the Royal Wolves research and technology centre.
He is leading a training effort in electronic warfare and drone piloting.
Head of Wagner private army Yevgeny Prigozin ruled out a nuclear response to the drone “attack” on the Kremlin.
“We look like clowns threatening to ‘nuke’ a child's drone,” he said.
