Horror nuclear warning as strained Russian economy leaving Putin with 'only one thing'

Putin may have no option but to go nuclear (Image: Getty)

Vladimir Putin may be left with no other option but to use his nuclear weapons if the Ukraine war drags on much longer and Russian military and economic resources become exhausted, a top defence analyst warned.

Russia's army has sustained catastrophic losses in both personnel and equipment since the start of the full-scale invasion almost three years ago.

Latest figures from Ukraine's army estimate Putin's forces have sustained over 700,000 casualties - both injured and killed.

Additionally, Kyiv claims to have destroyed over 9,000 tanks and more than 18,000 armoured vehicles, as well as almost 700 planes and helicopters. The Kremlin has also ramped up its military production, placing the economy on a war footing.

Russia's defence budget will hit a record high of £109 billion ($138 billion) next year, and will account for 40% of the Kremlin's total spending.

RS-24 Yars nuclear missile complex (Image: Getty)

The significant rise in military spending has fuelled a consumer boom and driven up inflation, forcing Russia's Central Bank to raise interest rates to a record high of 21%.

Nicholas Drummond, a defence analyst and strategic consultant who specialises in Land Warfare, suggested the threat of a nuclear war will only increase the longer the conflict continues.

In an opinion piece for the Daily Express, he wrote: "The ongoing provision of military aid to Ukraine means that the threat of nuclear weapons has not receded.

"Our strategy is to provide support, but not enough to trigger unintended escalation.

"This means we have been unable to contribute what Ukraine needs to force a Russian withdrawal.

"After almost 1,000 days of fighting, the war has become an attritional stalemate. It has been costly for Russia both militarily and economically.

"In addition to human casualties, its army has lost thousands of tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery pieces.

"Failure to achieve his goals has weakened Putin at home and in the eyes of his allies.

"Despite oil revenues from China, the question is how long can the Russian economy withstand the strain placed upon it?

"When Putin runs out of soldiers, equipment and money, the only thing left will be his nuclear arsenal."

A report published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in February said Russia was burning through arms, ammunition and troops at an unsustainable pace.

It predicted the Kremlin would only be able to sustain its war effort in Ukraine for "two to three more years."