West makes plans to avoid panic if Russia uses nuclear bomb in Ukraine

Crisis is considered unlikely but officials re-examine plans to provide support for fearful populations

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Western officials are engaged in prudent planning" behind the scenes to prevent chaos and panic in their home countries in the event Russia was to detonate a nuclear bomb in or near Ukraine.

Although a nuclear crisis is considered highly unlikely, the insider said officials internationally were re-examining plans to provide emergency support and reassurance to populations fearful of nuclear escalation.