Ukrainian youth comfort each other as they wait to get for a bus at Palanca-Maiaky-Udobne border crossing point between Moldova and Ukraine. File/AFP

The reluctance on the part of citizens to join the military also kept Russia in turmoil. The next tactic is to change the strategy. Nuclear threat — we will continue attacking you and you are not supposed to retaliate. Russia considers, with a nuclear threat, they can keep Ukrainian military at bay and annex more Ukraine territories in a so-called “illegitimate referendum” with minimum human loss and resources.

One thing is clear: Putin is being isolated not only internationally but within Russia too. History shows, every war started with proper planning and ended with unimaginable consequences. A nuclear war will irreversibly destabilise Russian people and its democratic setup.

A nuclear conflict will be catastrophic for humanity and all living organisms. An impending Russian failure will entail a nuclear war. That's why Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustices anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Girish R Edathitta,

Pathanamthitta, Kerala