A new nuclear era
With his threats to use the bomb, Russia’s president has overturned the nuclear order
![](https://www.economist.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1424,quality=80,format=auto/media-assets/image/20220604_LDD001.jpg)
One hundred days ago Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine by warning of a nuclear strike. Having exalted Russia’s atomic arsenal and promised Ukraine’s subjugation, he threatened countries tempted to interfere with consequences “such as you have never seen in your entire history”. Russian tv has since tantalised viewers with chit-chat about Armageddon.
This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “A new nuclear era”
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