US intelligence reports show that letting Ukraine strike deeper into Russia didnt increase nuclear danger‚ despite Vladimir Putinʼs threats. Five high-level sources say the risk stays low even after Washingtonʼs recent policy shift
The decision came after months of back-and-forth debates in DC. Some worried about payback on US bases but others saw the fears as over-blown (specially after checking intelligence data from early-summer). A congressional insider explained: “ATACMs with 190-mile range didnt change Moscowʼs nuclear math“
Russia launched a new missile last week as a warning sign; however intel suggests theyʼll focus on non-nuclear responses. Moscow plans to boost its under-the-radar operations in Europe‚ with two senior officials pointing to possible sabotage against Western targets
The game-changer was Kim Jong Unʼs support for Moscow. Around 11k North-Korean troops joined Russian forces which made Washington re-think its stance. “Russia was making gains and we needed to respond“ said a senior official who spoke on condition that his name wont be used
Intel from 05/24 showed that 90% of Russian planes moved away from the border - out of range of short-range missiles. The assessment noted that while Putin often makes nuclear threats‚ Moscow sees it as last resort and prefers other ways to strike back: cyber-attacks and secret ops