Even without the threat of nuclear weapons, a country can fall apart all on its own through self-sabotage. I think people should be far more scared of self-inflicted harm. It's also the one risk that can be truly mitigated simply by making sound choices. However, no one likes to think that they are the problem, so they pin their hopes and fears on external causes, or as a shrink would call it, an external locus of control. In the meantime, just laugh away the pain and muffle screams of anguish because we're way past the point of no return.
Battlefield nukes have almost no benefits with an incredible number of downsides. Russia would become a pariah to the few allies they have left, and the fallout would hurt the territory they want to capture.
If things will proceed as they are, they'll wipe civilization. Russia can't afford to lose, it'll cease to exist. And if the alternative is to cease to exist, they'll kill everything in the Earth as well. Putin said recently: "Why do we need a world, if there's no Russia in this world".
I really hope that Russia will capture Ukraine. I don't support this war, but that would be the best outcome in current circumstances. Alternative is far worse.
Russia can afford to lose. Putin can't afford to lose, but that's fine because as Ukraine momentum continues he will be removed or forced to resign and whoever follows can end the conflict and blame everything on him.
