In a recent interview, Leonid Slutsky, a senior Russian politician and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), explained why Russia has not utilized nuclear weapons in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He stated that although Russia could have employed tactical nuclear weapons to secure a victory, it has chosen restraint to minimize unintended damage, particularly to civilians.

Slutsky's comments were made during an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, aired on August 29. He expressed that Russia's approach is not one of terror, but rather a calculated effort to avoid civilian casualties. He noted that the use of nuclear weapons as a terror tool, reminiscent of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II, is foreign to Russia's military strategy.

According to Slutsky, Moscow would only consider using nuclear weapons against Ukraine if Western backers were to supply Ukraine with weapons of mass destruction. He expressed hope that the situation would not escalate to that level. He emphasized that in any other scenario, employing nuclear weapons against Ukraine does not align with Moscow's principles and vision.

Furthermore, Slutsky pointed out that Russia has refrained from attacking critical infrastructure, such as bridges over the Dnipro River, which would disrupt supply lines for Ukrainian forces in the Donbass region. He also mentioned the decision to avoid targeting Boryspil Airport near Kyiv, a hub for receiving Western arms. He reiterated that both actions could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and harm civilians.

Slutsky's remarks highlight Russia's complex military strategy, balancing the need for military effectiveness with a commitment to minimizing civilian harm amidst the ongoing conflict.