Ex-CIA officer says Putin is 'completely cornered' and the chances of him using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine are increasing 'by the day'

• According to an ex-CIA officer, Putin has been backed into a corner over his war in Ukraine.

• Robert said that the Russian leader is unlikely to deescalate.

• There is a chance that Putin will use tactical nuclear weapons.

According to an ex-CIA officer, the odds that Putin will use tactical nuclear weapons are increasing.

Robert Baer, a former CIA case officer, said that the chances of de-escalating are close to zero.

The chances that he will use nuclear weapons are going up by the day.

Ukrainian forces have recently liberated thousands of square miles of territory previously under Russian occupation in counteroffensives along the war's eastern and southern fronts, which appears to have sparked a shift in Putin's approach.

A rare televised address by the Russian leader last week paved the way for more troops to be sent to Ukraine. Russians protested against the war immediately after. Many fled the country due to fear of being called up to fight.

The Kremlin admitted on Monday that it made mistakes in the selection of draftees who would be sent to Ukraine.

The Russian president is unlikely to withdraw troops and negotiate an end to the war because of setbacks in Ukraine.

He has portrayed himself as a strongman for the last 20 years. He's been hit. He is cornered, and like a shark, he needs to move forward. The man is grabbing people. I don't think he's going to cave in at all.

During Putin's announcement, he accused the Western countries of provoking him with "nuclear blackmail" and stated that his remarks are not a bluff. Russia has the world's largest nuclear arsenal with strategic nuclear weapons which can be used on cities and tactical nuclear weapons which can be used on the battlefield.

"Russians that I keep in touch with in Russia think he's going to go nuclear." The more trouble he is in, the more likely he is to use nuclear weapons.

Ned Price told reporters on Monday that Putin's "nuclear saber-rattling" signals that he is losing.

He's on his feet. He is trying to intimidate those who would stand up to him. Along with our allies and partners around the world, we won't bow to intimidation.

Business Insider has an article on it.