That is a natural reaction of person that tracks only western MSM and doesn’t pay attention to gradual rise in western politician attitudes.

Russian nuclear doctrine change reflects changed attitude in western propaganda.

You must not be aware of the following developments. Poland is already primed to fight. Baltic states openly talk about preemptive strike on Russia. Western long range weapons are pretty much cleared to strike “old” Russian territory. Country on southern side of Russia is set to become 2nd Ukraine. NATO general claims that Russia will not use nukes under any circumstances and thus justifies any level of involvement.

In this environment expansion of nuclear deterrence is pretty much the only option from Russian point of view.

Please note that inside Russia there are calls to strike from Kiev to London due to crossing of previously announced red lines. Someone was right here. Putin is moderate if not outright inactive.

The above creates potentially unstable environment inside Russia and may give Russian government additional motivation to use nukes at location of regional importance.

There are some reasons for western side to provoke Russia, which nobody here wants to discuss or acknowledge.

It shall come as no surprise that NATO has larger military than Russia. Russia never made it a secret that the only way to balance out conventional strength difference is with nukes.

The calculation on Russian side is that they will destroy large amount of opposing side military and equipment. It should be enough to stop any meaningful ground action.

So, reality is very close to getting out of control.

All it takes is a small provocation on the border side that looks like invasion even if it is just a large scale disruption in communication on the border line and incursion of some military equipment.

The later happened already on Belorussian border in last 12 months. So the scenario was tested in part by Poland.