Putin is largely ignoring the expertise of his military advisors, US analysts said in a report. Instead, he is making most of the key decisions on his own, they said. The experts at the RAND Corporation said Putin has proved more cautious than many expected. Russian President Vladimir Putin is making key decisions about the Ukraine war largely on his own, without input from his generals, analysts said in a report published last week.

But while doing so, Putin has proven to be more cautious than expected, said the report from the US-based RAND Corporation.

"Putin [is] making key decisions largely on his own without substantial influence from the Russian General Staff," the analysts said in the report.

RAND said that was simply because Putin does not trust those around him — and so makes "little use of economic or military expertise" at his disposal.

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[–] nomecks@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Whatever nuclear weapons, that haven't been pillaged for fuel, uranium, and scrap, are probably so poorly built and maintained that Putin is likely worried about accidentally nuking Russia.

[–] Infinitus@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Their nukes are fine. Unfortunately. The US made periodic inspections on them, as the Russians did to the ones US has. I belive it was a part of the new start treaty.

[–] thanksforallthefish 6 points 1 year ago

The inspections were purely a stock take. Missile 1990-cccp-100 still in silo 123 in Buttfuck Siberia. Tick.

Looking at a missile from 25m away will not tell you if the tritium has deteriorated past usability, now will it tell you if the electronics have failed or components corroded past usability.

The closest to an inspection done is that one treaty (there are several arms limitations treaties USSR & USA signed which Russia continued, plus ones signed by Russia post USSR) limits the number of warheads in total that multi launch vehicles can have, so they get to see the warhead rather than just a missile.

The warheads could be full of cotton candy as far as the inspectors know though, again, count devices, check against list.

NO american is testing the functionality or capability of these weapons.

Even if you doubt me (and I can dig out sources) here's a thought experiment:

Would the US sign a treaty that allowed Russian engineers to dissassemble and test the functionality of a US nuke ?

If you think they would I have a nice one owner bridge going cheap.