As Ukrainian attacks continue to hammer away at Russia's critical infrastructure, causing fuel shortages, public brawls and a deteriorating economy, Vladimir Putin's allies are pushing him to consider the unthinkable. The battlefield humiliations have grown so profound that Kremlin hardliners are lobbying their leader to deploy nuclear weapons, against both Ukrainian frontline positions and European nations lending their support to Volodymyr Zelensky. The tipping point before Putin chooses the deadly escalation would be the loss of the cherished Crimea, according to experts, where authorities recently declared a state of emergency. #petrol #fyp #fuel #australia #news