Russia isn't stupid or suicidal. As long as NATO forces don't march on Moscow, Russia won't let the nukes fly. Taking the L in Ukraine is preferable than seeing Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, NATO, and the U.S. all get nuked.
Engaging in nuclear escalation is quite smart from Russia's POV though. The fact that there has been too little of it is the reason why the empire has become so cavalier and arrogant, and pushing things further and further.
Obviously, there are many steps in nuclear escalation. It's not "use a first strike of all 6000 nukes", but you start smaller to tell people to back the hell off.
Engaging in nuclear escalation is quite smart from Russia's POV though. The fact that there has been too little of it is the reason why the empire has become so cavalier and arrogant, and pushing things further and further.
Obviously, there are many steps in nuclear escalation. It's not "use a first strike of all 6000 nukes", but you start smaller to tell people to back the hell off.