This from an AP report with a title implying Russia TV is expressing frustration with the war...which sounded like it might be good for us. But, if you read far enough, it seems that they are preparing their population for escalation to direct conflict with NATO. Their soldiers state that their enemies forcing their retreat are speaking Polish and Romanian, to support the fact that they are getting beaten by NATO, not Ukraine.
'justification' for using nukes...which in and of itself is strategically insane...but then we're talking about someone who fits that description.
In his unhinged speech the other day Putin said the same thing.
There were unconfirmed reports overnight that the Russians were moving some tactical nuclear weapons forward. Not clear to me, really, why they think that would help matters. Unless they use a lot of them, they will not alter the situation on the ground too much.
And losing handily to Ukraine. That's all this is, imo. Attempting to save face.
Without fossil fuels they are third world at best. Putin had ruined Russia for decades.