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Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war?

Russia is suffering a humiliating defeats in Ukraine not seen since WW2. Will their leadership resort to use of nuclear weapons?

We're moving to Berlin (from CA) next spring (my wife got an internal transfer there), but the way things are, I am a bit antsy.

Sorry about the throwaway account. My wives teammates nor our friends or neighbours here aren't aware of our plans yet.

( 13 comments | 2 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by aintmeit on Saturday September 10, 2022 @05:19PM (#32794658)
Even without the threat of nuclear weapons, a country can fall apart all on its own through self-sabotage. I think people should be far more scared of self-inflicted harm. It's also the one risk that can be truly mitigated simply by making sound choices. However, no one likes to think that they are the problem, so they pin their hopes and fears on external causes, or as a shrink would call it, an external locus of control. In the meantime, just laugh away the pain and muffle screams of anguish because we're way past the point of no return.
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by Trouble_007 on Saturday September 10, 2022 @04:34PM (#32794369)
"IF" which I doubt.

Nuclear Weapon Yield : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon_yield

Variable Yield, a.k.a. Dial-a-Yield, is an option available on most modern nuclear weapons : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_yield

Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by dandanua on Sunday September 11, 2022 @02:31PM (#32802055)
No, they can afford to lose a lot of things. Check my analysis https://dandanua.github.io/posts/nuclear-terror-and-game-the...
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by RegnisGnaw on Saturday September 10, 2022 @04:23PM (#32794305)
I'm thinking yes to battlefield nuclear weapons. Nothing bigger then that.
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by daemoens on Sunday September 11, 2022 @12:50PM (#32801196)
Battlefield nukes have almost no benefits with an incredible number of downsides. Russia would become a pariah to the few allies they have left, and the fallout would hurt the territory they want to capture.
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by epirogov on Saturday September 10, 2022 @07:54PM (#32795546)
these are such minor things, where exactly to catch this
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by shrimp_emoji on Saturday September 10, 2022 @10:11PM (#32796266)
No?
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by vbezhenar on Saturday September 10, 2022 @09:50PM (#32796152)
If things will proceed as they are, they'll wipe civilization. Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist. And if the alternative is to cease to exist, they'll kill everything in the Earth as well. Putin said recently: "Why do we need a world, if there's no Russia in this world".

I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but that would be the best outcome in current circumstances. Alternative is far worse.

Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by dandanua on Sunday September 11, 2022 @02:36PM (#32802102)
> Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist

Brain dead. Though it's normal for a rusсist.

Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by type0 on Sunday September 11, 2022 @09:04AM (#32799289)
> I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but...

I really hope you will move to Russia then, if you already don't live there

Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by vbezhenar on Sunday September 11, 2022 @01:51PM (#32801687)
So do I.
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by sidibe on Sunday September 11, 2022 @06:26AM (#32798452)
Russia can afford to lose. Putin can't afford to lose, but that's fine because as Ukraine momentum continues he will be removed or forced to resign and whoever follows can end the conflict and blame everything on him.
Re:Ask HN: Will Russia start nuclear war? by genman on Monday September 12, 2022 @07:58AM (#32808836)
Precisely.