Woodward explained how Austin dissuaded Shoigu from a nuclear strike on Ukraine.

According to the well-known American journalist Bob Woodward, the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden faced a serious threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

American journalist Bob Woodward reported that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is facing a significant threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

According to Woodward, at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the likelihood of using nuclear weapons was estimated at 5-10%, but later increased to 50%. "In the White House, they sat there looking at it and realized that for the national security staff of President Biden, it’s a coin toss", noted the journalist.

According to Woodward, at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the likelihood of using nuclear weapons was between 5 and 10%, but later rose to 50%. He also noted that representatives of the Biden administration understood that for national security personnel, it was equivalent to a coin toss.

Woodward said that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and warned about the consequences of using nuclear weapons. "We know you are considering using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine," Austin told Shoigu, according to Woodward.

According to Woodward, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and warned about the consequences of accidental use of nuclear weapons. "We know you are considering using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine," Austin told Shoigu, according to Woodward.

When Shoigu replied that he does not like to be threatened, Austin stated: "Mr. Minister, I lead the most powerful army in the history of the world. I am not threatening." Woodward called this phrase "one of the strongest I've seen in 52 years of journalism".

After Shoigu replied that he is not interested in threats, Austin stated: "Dear Minister, I head the most powerful army in the history of the world. I am not threatening." Woodward believes this phrase is one of the strongest he has heard in 52 years of his journalistic career.

According to Woodward, the Biden administration realized that the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia "would define an era". "For 80 years nuclear weapons have not been used. And now Putin, who is not only a sadist but fully controls the situation, threatens this", - noted the journalist.

According to Woodward, the Biden administration understood that the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia "would determine an era". "For 80 years nuclear weapons have not been used. And now Putin, who is not just a sadist but also fully controls the situation, threatens this," declared the journalist.

Woodward also stated that Russian military doctrine allows for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the case of "catastrophic losses on the battlefield". He said there were moments when Russian troops suffered significant defeats in Ukraine that could provoke the use of nuclear weapons.

Woodward also noted that Russian military doctrine provides for the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons in the case of "catastrophic losses on the battlefield". He noted that there were situations when Russian troops suffered serious defeats in Ukraine, which could be a reason for using nuclear weapons.

Fortunately, the situation stabilized later. "There are scenes [in the book] where American generals talk to Russian generals, saying: "Okay, now you do not need to use tactical nuclear weapons," added Woodward.