Vladimir Putin approved Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine by signing the corresponding decree, which was published on official Russian websites on November 19. The document entitled “On approval of the foundations of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence” defines new conditions for the use of nuclear weapons.
Russia now has the right to use nuclear weapons not only in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction, but also to the use of conventional weapons, if this would pose a threat to its sovereignty or territorial integrity.
According to the new provisions, the aggression of any state from the military coalition against Russia or its allies is considered as aggression of the entire coalition. In the event of an attack by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state, Russia will interpret it as a joint attack.
The doctrine also allows Russia to use nuclear weapons in response to conventional attacks if they pose a serious threat to the country’s security or territorial integrity. According to the new rules, a nuclear strike can be launched if there is credible information about the launch of air-to-space attack assets, such as strategic aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic and other aircraft.
In addition, Russia can use nuclear weapons if ballistic missiles are launched in its direction.
In September 2024, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Serhii Ryabkov said that Russia will change its nuclear doctrine, focusing on the analysis of recent conflicts and the “escalation course” of the West in connection with the war in Ukraine. Later it became known that Putin decided to expand the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons.
