Russia's Nuclear Threats Escalate in Ukraine Conflict

Dmitry Medvedev, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned that Moscow would not rule out using nuclear weapons in Ukraine if the Eastern European country tries to take back Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014. Medvedev floated the idea that Moscow would use nuclear weapons against Ukraine in response to any attempt that would split off part of the state. Recent Ukraine victories against Russia increased hopes that its military could retake Crimea, but Medvedev believes that Ukraine's statements about the "retaking" of Crimea were mainly "propaganda."