PUTIN & HIS NUKES

DML REPORT

IN A WORLD OF NUKES, PUTIN THINKS HE’S KING

Russia’s Escalation in Ukraine Tests Trump’s Resolve

Russia just dropped a bombshell—literally—on Ukraine with what Kyiv’s calling the biggest drone and missile barrage since Putin’s invasion kicked off in 2022. According to The Wall Street Journal, over 200 drones and missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities, killing at least 18 and wounding dozens. This wasn’t just a flex; it was a deliberate middle finger to President Trump, who’s been pushing for peace talks to end this mess. Putin’s move screams defiance, and it’s a wake-up call for the world. Let’s break it down, no fluff, just facts—and why Trump’s got to play this smart to keep us out of World War III.

Russia unleashed 103 missiles and 103 drones, targeting critical energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s air defenses downed about half, but the damage was brutal—18 dead, including nine kids in one strike. President Zelensky’s fuming, calling out the U.S. for a “muted” response. Trump’s team, meanwhile, is scrambling to broker a ceasefire, with National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressing Putin to come to the table. But Moscow’s not budging, and this attack proves they’re doubling down. The timing’s no accident—Trump’s been vocal about ending the war, even hinting at scaling back U.S. aid to Ukraine. Putin’s testing him, plain and simple.

Very Dangerous
Now, let’s talk Russia’s nuclear arsenal, because that’s the real shadow looming here. According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has about 5,580 nuclear warheads as of 2025—1,588 deployed on ballistic missiles and bombers, the rest in reserve or awaiting dismantlement. That’s enough to wipe out civilization several times over. The United States has a smaller nuclear arsenal than Russia, with approximately 5,044 warheads compared to Russia's 5,580, while China trails both with an estimated 500 warheads. Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missiles, like the RS-28 Sarmat, can hit targets 11,000 miles away with up to 10 warheads each. Submarine-launched Bulava missiles and hypersonic Kinzhal systems add to the threat, designed to evade U.S. defenses. Putin’s rattled this saber before, and with tensions spiking, it’s not just posturing—it’s a calculated warning.

This brings us to Trump. The man’s got a tightrope to walk. His “America First” vibe resonates as we all want out of Ukraine. But my insiders tell me that Trump’s being told by his trusted staff that pulling back too fast from Ukraine risks emboldening Putin. And if Russia senses weakness in Trump, they could push further—maybe into NATO territory, triggering Article 5 and a full-on global conflict. (Article 5 is a key provision of the North Atlantic Treaty, which established NATO in 1949, stating that an attack on one member country is considered an attack on all, obligating collective defense).

Trump’s pushing for a 30-day ceasefire, but Putin’s attack shows he’s not in a chatting mood. The WSJ notes Trump’s tariffs and troop drawdowns in Europe are already rattling allies, who fear a U.S. retreat could greenlight Russian aggression. Trump needs to lean on diplomacy—hard. That means rallying NATO, squeezing Russia economically, and keeping channels open with Zelensky, all while projecting strength to deter Putin’s nuclear bluff.

Nobody wants World War III. Trump’s got the instincts to avoid it, but he can’t let Putin smell blood. This attack’s a challenge—meet it with resolve, not recklessness, and keep the world spinning, not burning. He must remember that Putin sees himself as king.