​​Flirting with a nuclear Apocalypse It is no secret that Russians traditionally consume the filthiest propaganda. This has long become part of their life under Putin's dictatorship. However, even the most manipulative misinformation or fiction must bear basic signs of plausibility. Especially when it comes to military issues related to nuclear safety. It is precisely this issue that Moscow is now exploiting to maximize pressure on Ukraine and its resilient people, as well as the steadily less sensitive international community. Also, the Russians are whipping up that nuclear hysteria in order to divert the attention of their domestic audience from a more critical agenda. Ahead of this weekend, the Kremlin lies machine had been spinning nuclear-related stories in full swing. One of the narratives claims Kyiv is about to set off a “dirty atomic” they have allegedly got hold of. This rather old song remains convenient for legitimizing Russia’s own atrocities. Although Putin's team is extremely inconsistent here: to them, a hypothetical nuclear state of Ukraine would be a mortal threat while transferring nuclear tech to rogue nations like North Korea and Iran seems to be a matter of honor for Russian intelligence. Where’s the logic? An equally intimidating accusation claims Ukraine is drawing up a plan for a raid to seize Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant, as well as and regain control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Moscow's talking heads lament of Ukraine’s alleged plot to shell both facilities. These commentators refer to a low-profile war reporter Khairullin, who claims to have somehow received top secret strategic intelligence (although it likely came from GRU liars). Although Russian invasion forces occupied not one but two Ukrainian nuclear power plants (Chornobyl and Zaporizhzhia) at the outset of the incursion in 2022, now they suddenly became dramatically concerned about the very possibility of a Ukrainian raid toward the Kursk NPP... But hey, it was the Kremlin that set the precedent so at least someone in those high offices should have had brains big enough to foresee the full range of repercussions of such actions. It can’t be ruled out that the latest flow of such insinuations is aimed at whitewashing Russia from its current image of an outright aggressor, as well as discrediting the Ukrainian side, both in terms of its Peace Formula, containing points related to nuclear safety, and to legalize at the level of the UN Security Council the rhetoric about the allegedly inhumane nature of war waged by the Ukrainian side, their adventurism and abuse of partners’ trust. Moscow is pursuing two major tasks. First, they seek to shift part of the international focus away from the successful Ukrainian advance into Kursk region where Ukraine’s Armed Forces now control over 1,000 square kilometers of territory, including the historically Ukrainian town of Sudzha. In addition, given how extensively Russia has been employing KAB glide bombs (similar to tactical nukes in terms of their destructive effect) in the areas close to the border, the actual use of tactical nuclear weapons will give Moscow nothing but a crushing blow to its international image. Should the Kremlin ever resort to such move, all countries of the so-called Global South would snub the country that has turned into a mad nuclear savage. In general, a nuclear-themed OST to Russia’s war games point to a complete collapse of Putin's plans of conquest and an attempt to turn the tide of battlefield developments, especially in Kursk region. There is no doubt that the Kremlin could actually be plotting devilish acts of provocation at nuclear facilities in order to achieve some military gains. However, judging by the scope of negative implications of such sinister apocalyptic plans, the move would bring Russia no benefit. But are these cornered war criminals even thinking of this?