The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that the placement of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is a part of an information campaign to create fear in the West of a potential nuclear escalation due to Putin's statements. ISW also believes that Putin is exaggerating the capabilities of the Russian military-industrial complex to demonstrate to Western countries the futility of investing resources in supporting Ukraine. The United States, however, has not seen any signs of Russia preparing to use its nuclear arsenal.