Unless Russia wants to commit national suicide they’ll keep their nukes secured.
For some reason the Putinists are advancing a narrative that Russia can use nukes against NATO unopposed. That’s not how that works.
And what’s the point of nuking Ukraine? Spite? That may very well trigger a first strike against Russia by NATO. No, I don’t think Russia is crazy or stupid enough to do either.
They’re taking a huge risk if they think they can go into Crimea. You may be dealing with some crazy people.
And I am not sold on selling out for the Ukraine. Would they fight our wars? Seems they had been selling out to soros, obama, biden, etc., for some time. I am not so sure I trust a damn thing from those corrupt as people. I don’t trust Putin but I don’t trust them either.
That very much depends on the nature of the weapon(s) used. If it is a single tactical device I could see NATO responding by striking the Black Sea fleet, probably destroying it. If it is a single large weapon (say, nuke Kirovograd) the response could include electric distribution centers, water works and certain gas works in Russia. In addition, the Ukrainian spec ops would be unleashed to kill Russian politicians that support Putin. And Putin might be targeted, if he can be located.
Also, if Putin forced surrender after several strikes he would occupy an area that might be laid waste by his actions. The cost to rebuild would be crushing for the Russian economy. If he chose to occupy and ignore the area the result would be a new Holodomor. He would go down in history as a monster comparable to Hitler or Stalin. I think he wants a better reputation than that.
One thing he has done for certain is to ensure Ukrainian enmity towards Russians for the next 200 years.