U.S. Officials Alarmed After New Intelligence Suggest Russia's Military Leaders Discuss Use of Nuclear Weapons

Several senior U.S. officials had raised alarm after new intelligence reports suggested that Russia's military leaders talked about when and how Moscow would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

The New York Times noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not present during the discussions. The talks were held against the backdrop of Russia's growing nuclear weapons rhetoric.

The new intelligence on nuclear weapons usage was spread inside the federal government in mid-October.

U.S. officials did not detail the scenarios the military leaders considered for the use of nuclear weapons. However, the CIA director, William J. Burns, previously said that Putin's "possible desperation" to have a victory in Ukraine and some setbacks in the war could lead Russia to resort to their nuclear weapons.

National Security Council official, John F. Kirby, declined to comment on the details of the meeting.

In late September, the Russian president warned that they would "certainly use all the means at our disposal" when it comes to their invasion of Ukraine.

The talk within the Russian military came as Moscow claimed that Ukraine was eyeing to use a radioactive "dirty bomb." The claims were not supported by any evidence.

Russia Using Nuclear Weapons

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on the said U.S. intelligence. Peskov dismissed it as "purposeful pumping" of nuclear weapons rhetoric.

Concerns that Putin could call on the use of any kind of nuclear weapon in Ukraine increased last month as his Russian military troops were dealt a series of defeats while repeating from a number of villages and towns in parts of eastern Ukraine that Putin has declared as part of the Russian territory.

There were also reports last month of discontent within Russia, aside from the battlefield losses.

Senior Russian officials started issuing rare public concerns regarding how Putin's war is going, with hundreds and more drafted and sent to the front lines with inadequate training and equipment.

Military experts noted that the use of a nuclear weapon would necessarily change the shape of war.

Russia-Ukraine War

Kirby noted that North Korea was secretly sending ammunition to Russia and disguising shipments seeming to be destined for the Middle East or North Africa, according to an ABC News Go report.

Kirby said that North Korea was delivering a "significant number of artillery shells," but did not specify the exact number. He said that it was more than "dozens."

The White House official said that the United States will continue to monitor the shipments received.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a warning to nations with nuclear capabilities, urging them to leave efforts to interfere with each other's vital interests.

The ministry warned that direct armed conflict and provocations with weapons of mass destruction can cause catastrophic consequences.

Russia noted that there can be no winners if nuclear war and reaffirmed its commitment to the prevention of nuclear war.

READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky Says if Pres. Joe Biden Acted Sooner 'There Would Be No War'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Live: US says it is 'increasingly concerned' by Russian nuclear threats - from FRANCE 24 English