Russia's periodic nuclear sabre-rattling is a typical example of Moscow's tactical messaging with regard to its war against Ukraine.
Unlike strategic messaging, which reflects Russian leaders' deep-seated beliefs concerning Ukraine, tactical narratives of Moscow's information warfare are extremely manipulative and usually appeal to the emotions, especially fear.
And it is fear that underlies Moscow's nuclear threats — a fear of losing the war against Ukraine — aiming to put psych...
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Anton Shekhovtsov is director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity in Vienna and author of three books: New Radical Right-Wing Parties in European Democracies (2011), Russia and the Western Far Right: Tango Noir (2017), and Russian Political Warfare (due 2023).