Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted a pivotal decree broadening Russia’s nuclear doctrine, underscoring new circumstances under which Moscow might deploy nuclear weapons. This move, announced on the 1,000th day of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, sends a stark message to both Western nations and Kyiv.
The decree comes as the United States authorizes Ukraine to use long-range missiles against military targets inside Russia. Notably, the revised policy now considers the use of nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if backed by a nuclear-armed nation.
“A non-nuclear state’s aggression, combined with support from a nuclear-armed country, constitutes a coordinated attack,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday, pointing directly at Ukraine and its Western allies.
The revision, described by Peskov as a “critical document,” aligns with Russia’s need to adapt to current geopolitical realities. While reaffirming that nuclear weapons remain a last resort, Peskov warned that they could be employed if Russia faces significant threats.
Under the new guidelines, Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to large-scale aerial attacks, even if such strikes are conducted using conventional weaponry. The doctrine also extends nuclear protection to Belarus, a close ally.
Peskov emphasized that the “collective West” had orchestrated a “war” against Russia, declaring that Moscow’s “special military operation” in Ukraine would continue unabated.
This policy shift marks yet another escalation in the nearly three-year conflict, heightening global tensions and fueling debates over nuclear deterrence in modern warfare.
