US finalizing plans to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, US officials say

[XorXor]

30. I do wonder the likelihood of Russia escalating by attacking service/support facilities outside

of Ukraine, though. I'm just an idiot on the internet, but that always seemed like a more likely path of Russian escalation than using tactical nukes. Outside of its usefulness in scaring/bullying countries from helping Ukraine, it seems like something that would have limited value compared to harm it would cause to Russia (and the world) But striking some facilities, convoys, whatever, in a neighboring country could be viewed as the non-nuclear nuclear option. I could see them deluding themselves into thinking that would scare NATO into retreat rather than being the catalyst to a wider more destructive war. Oh, then we also have the whole cyber thing. I think that falls into that category too.

I could see either of those snowballing into a war between Russia and NATO, and that escalating to nuclear weapon usage.