Considering that their nuclear forces are probably in at least the same shape if not worse,
my dad always told me half the Russia nukes wouldnt even launch and blow up in their silos.
These things were fascinating to me when I watched the video I posted above.
In brief, since I assume most people haven't bothered to watch it, the analyst speaking says that Putin could
- Not use nukes, which he thinks is most likely,
- Use nukes, ushering in a world of hurt for everybody, or
- Try to use the nukes and find out they are just as fubar as the rest of his armed forces and don't work.
How should the western world respond if Russia tries to blow up the world and fails? Like the analyst, I have no idea. I doubt anyone in positions of power has any solid ideas, either.