A Russian military expert warned cornered Vladimir Putin could detonate a nuclear weapon off the coast of Britain to “see what happens”.
Pavel Felgenhauer, a defence analyst based in Moscow, fears the Kremlin leader might lash out at rivals as his invasion of Ukraine continues.
The Moscow-based commentator believes the world is in a “dangerous spot” and suggested Mr Putin could strike back as global leaders apply sanctions to his regime.
‘Tight spot’
Mr Felgenhauer told the BBC: “Putin’s in a tight spot.
“He doesn’t have many options left, once the West freezes the assets of the Russian Central bank and Russia’s financial system actually implodes. That will make the system unworkable.
“One option for him is to cut gas supplies to Europe, hoping that will make the Europeans climb down.
“Another option is to explode a nuclear weapon somewhere over the North Sea between Britain and Denmark and see what happens.”
Earlier Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the Scottish Government will provide medical aid for Ukraine.
Last week the first minister backed tough sanctions on Mr Putin from Westminster despite the President’s threats against rivals.
The SNP leader said the Kremlin must “feel the wrath of the democratic world” in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainians.
It comes as the Kremlin bizarrely claimed their nuclear deterrent had been ordered to high alert after “unacceptable” remarks by Tory foreign secretary Liz Truss.
Another option is to explode a nuclear weapon somewhere over the North Sea between Britain and Denmark and see what happens.
– Analyst Pavel Felgenhauer
Last week Mr Putin warned his enemies they could face devastating consequences for assisting Ukraine or acting against his government.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the escalation from Moscow on Ms Truss.
‘Attempt to divert’
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, defended the senior Conservative cabinet secretary and blamed Mr Putin for heightening tensions.
She wrote: “Whatever political disagreements any of us have with Liz Truss – and I have many deep differences with her – we should not fall for this transparent Russian attempt to divert.
“The only person responsible for Putin’s despicable nuclear threat is Putin.”
Britain and Europe have joined the United States in punishing Russia for the incursion into Ukraine as war rages on across the country.