The idea of Putin's strategy is bluff - there is no desire to actually get to the Armageddon, but intermediate stages are attractive, as soon as they promise th

The idea of Putin's strategy is bluff - there is no desire to actually get to the Armageddon, but intermediate stages are attractive, as soon as they promise that West will blink and step back. If Putin (a good approximation for decision making in Russia) will decide that West won't answer to a tactical nuke, he'll do it - the situation is rather dire for him.