Tensions have ramped up between Russia and other global powers in recent weeks, and now the threat from the Kremlin feels terrifyingly close to home. After months of bluster from Vladimir Putin's cronies on state TV, Russia has now directly threatened to unleash nuclear weapons on the UK and mainland Europe. Sergey Karaganov, head of Russia 's Council for Foreign and Defense Policy, said that if the nation is defeated in Ukraine , Putin "would use nuclear weapons and Europe would be finished