Moscow Prepares to Intensify War in Ukraine: Bloomberg

Russia has concluded that peace negotiations regarding Ukraine have reached a deadlock and is now preparing to escalate its attacks. This was reported to Bloomberg by sources close to the Kremlin.

According to the agency, Moscow is considering a more intensive use of non-nuclear warheads in ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv, including the central districts of the city. Possible targets also include the infrastructure of Ukrainian cities.

Sources from Bloomberg estimate that sanctions against Russia, as well as Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refining plants and logistics centers, will not compel President Vladimir Putin to halt the war. The sources indicate that Moscow increasingly perceives Ukrainian attacks as actions carried out by NATO countries, given the weapons and intelligence provided to Kyiv. They assess that the current military operations are still well below the maximum level of potential escalation.

Bloomberg also reports that the Director of the CIA, John Ratcliffe, visited Moscow on August 25. The main topics of his discussions have not been disclosed. Meanwhile, it is expected that U.S. President's special envoy, Steve Biegun, and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, may visit Moscow again, and for the first time, also Kyiv.

According to four sources close to the Kremlin, in the absence of results from diplomatic efforts, Moscow views further escalation as a means to achieve its goals. Russian officials also believe they have already made a number of concessions, and new concessions could weaken their positions.

At the same time, Bloomberg reports that some Russian officials do not rule out the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort. However, experts consider such a scenario to be unlikely. Alexander Gabuev, head of the Carnegie Center for Russia and Eurasia, assesses that the risk of using tactical nuclear weapons remains extremely low, as their military effectiveness is limited, while the political consequences are severe. He states that as long as Russia has the ability to escalate with conventional weapons, there is little practical necessity to cross the nuclear threshold.