[thegagline]

Once the occupied territories “vote” to join Russia, any assault on them by Ukraine will be considered an attack on the homeland. In turn, this will serve as a basis and justification to use nuclear weapons.

[MarMema]

Why wouldn’t they vote to join Russia? Their own country has been shelling and bombing them for almost 9 years, cut off much of their infrastructure, and indeed shelled civilian Marketplace yesterday (killing 13, 2 children) and today.

Russia has restored their pensions, their freedom to speak Russian,to read and view Russian media.
It is absurd to see them as not wanting to join Russia - truly, no matter who you support in the Russian NATO war.

[vladimir998]

“In turn, this will serve as a basis and justification to use nuclear weapons.”

But where? If Russia uses nukes in Ukraine it hurts Russia too and friends of Russia because of the radiation and fallout. The Russians would be shooting themselves here. The political “fallout” could be far worse for Russia than the radioactive fallout too.