“Russians will use tactical nukes”
The Russians will not use nukes on their own territory or territory they hope to control.
“The Russians will not use nukes on their own territory or territory they hope to control.”
Are you saying they wouldn’t use nukes on their own territory for political reasons or operational tactical reasons.
I think it would be unwise politically to use tactical nukes but operational it could work splendidly well and end the battle instantly.
The blast area would not be like the Chernobyl disaster. The blast area will have much lower radiation levels and the levels will decay down quickly.
During the Desert Rock exercises between 1951 and 1957, the US Army conducted nuclear tests in the Nevada Proving Grounds where hundreds of soldiers would march and maneuver around the detonations.
They were able to function just fine as they didn’t drop over dead or experience short team problems. Some of the troops did experience long term problems years later but that was years later.
In a tactical situation (little nukes), the troops can function moving into the blast area right after the nuclear explosion. Of course, your situation would be grim if you happened to be in the blast area when the nuclear explosion occurs.