Budanov: Russia is capable of a nuclear strike, but there are no signs of preparation

Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Kyrylo Budanov, in an interview with The Times, assessed the likelihood of a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine and Moscow’s readiness to carry out its threats of a massive strike on the center of Kyiv.

According to Budanov, Russia is prepared to follow through on its recent threats after the Kremlin warned Western countries to evacuate their embassies.

“Russia certainly has the capability to carry out a nuclear strike at any moment and at any distance. Its nuclear potential allows it to accomplish this task. But this is, above all, a matter of political will,” Budanov said.

At the same time, the head of the president’s office noted that he sees no signs of Russia preparing for a nuclear strike.

Earlier, military expert Yuri Knutov stated that the timeline for Russia’s army to take control of all of Donbas depends on the specific actions of the Russian Armed Forces. According to him, if a decision is made to use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, the expulsion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the region could happen well before autumn 2026.

Russian presidential aide Ushakov also commented on the West’s reaction to the recommendations for diplomats to leave Kyiv.