This is a natural step in the current situation. Cold War between the Western world and Russia.
However, this does not mean that Russia will use nuclear weapons. The use of even tactical nuclear weapons is an absolutely insane move. Nuclear weapons were not originally intended for its use in military conflicts. It is exclusively a tool to deter a potential adversary from aggressive actions.
The use of nuclear weapons by Russia will cause a very negative reaction from China and India.
I'm not talking about the USA, Great Britain and other countries of the Western world....
Therefore, I perceive it solely as a tool for escalating tension.
I don't think that there is a big possibility of Russia using tactical nukes in Ukraine. Even in frontline cities such as Bakhmut and Vuhledar, there are still thousands of civilians trapped in the basements and bomb shelters. A majority of them are ethnic Russians and in case Russia uses tactical nukes, then these people will be destroyed. And the other option for Russia will be to use tactical nukes on cities that are mostly inhabited by ethnic Ukrainians, such as Lviv and Ternopil. But this will result in retaliatory strikes by NATO.
As such there are no "tactical" nukes. Nukes are nukes no matter what they are called. Even the best tactical nuclear weapon will result in the deaths of thousands of civilians, along with the military manpower and equipment. There is no magical nuclear weapon that will only kill the soldiers. And at this point, I don't think that Putin is lunatic enough to commit such a mistake, which would result in his strongest allies deserting him.
I agree that there is no point in using nukes in Ukraine. There will be lots of civilian casualties but the military effect would be questionable.
But this will result in retaliatory strikes by NATO.
I don't think Putin is particularly afraid of this. The only NATO country capable of effective nuke strike on Russia is the US. And if they'll do it, Russia will launch their long-range nukes immediately turning Washington, London and many other big cities into ashes. This will be the end of the world as we know it or maybe even the ultimate apocalypse.
which would result in his strongest allies deserting him.
But who are Russia's allies? Belarus is a sockpuppet, North Korea is a communist rebel state. These countries have nothing to lose and they will support any Russia's move. China and India are not allies but business partners at best.