Russia will use a nuclear response in the event of an attack with conventional weapons
Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed changes to the state doctrine of nuclear deterrence at a meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday. In particular, he considers it necessary to expand the list of military threats, in response to which Moscow will consider itself capable of using nuclear weapons.
In the new version of the doctrine, the use of nuclear weapons is envisaged in the event of a massive attack on Russia not only with nuclear weapons, but also with conventional weapons – Putin mentioned strategic or tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic missiles and other aircraft. Reliable information about the launch of means of an air-space attack in the direction of Russia will also entail a nuclear response.
In general, it is proposed to confirm Russia’s right to a nuclear salvo in the case of almost any actions that could “represent a critical threat to the sovereignty” of the country.
Russia will consider itself justified in using nuclear weapons to protect Belarus as a member of the Union State.
Putin also proposes to consider military actions against Russia “by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, as their joint attack on Russia.”
According to him, the list of states and military alliances that are subject to nuclear deterrence should be expanded. The president did not mention which countries will fill this list.
The head of the office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak commented on Putin’s statement: “Apart from nuclear blackmail, Russia has nothing, no tools for intimidating the world. These tools will not work.”
- On July 7 of this year, while speaking at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin did not rule out changing the nuclear doctrine, stating that there is no need to “even think” about the use of nuclear weapons now.
The news is updated
