If you deplete your forces, then you may be “forced” to use more unconventional warfare, i.e. things that leave behind mushroom clouds. I half wonder if mad Vlad is considering such a thing? It would not be out of the realm of possibility.
When I see comments like yours regarding Putin possibly using nukes, I always think about the old stories of the development of the neutron bomb.
“Kills people, leaves buildings and vehicles intact”.