Putin green-lights updated nuclear doctrine, expands conditions for its use

Source: Sky

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed off on an updated nuclear doctrine, saying that Russia may use nuclear weapons if it faces missile strikes supported by a nuclear-armed state.

This adjustment to Russia’s official nuclear strategy has been in development for months, but Putin’s formal approval this week appears to come in response to the Biden administration’s decision to allow Ukraine to launch American long-range missiles into Russian territory.

The revised doctrine broadens the scope of threats that could prompt a nuclear response from Russia. The latest addition is an attack carried out by onventional missile strikes, drone attacks, or other airborne assaults, which can be taken as the threshold for nuclear retaliation.

In addition, the doctrine asserts that any act of aggression against Russia by a member of a coalition will be perceived as an act of aggression by the entire coalition, underscoring Moscow’s stance on collective defense responses.

This move clearly ramps up the rhetoric surrounding Russia’s nuclear posture amid ongoing high-stakes stand-off with the West.