Putin Approves Changes to Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine: Here’s What It Means

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine, declaring that any conventional attack on Russia involving the support or participation of a nuclear-armed nation will be treated as a joint attack on the Russian Federation.

This update, signed on the 1,000th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, signals a significant shift in Moscow’s nuclear policy.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, Ukraine struck a Russian military facility in the western Bryansk region using ATACMS missiles. This follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to permit Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia using Western-supplied long-range missiles. The move by Washington has escalated tensions, with Moscow interpreting it as direct involvement by NATO in the ongoing war.

Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for President Putin, confirmed on Tuesday that Russia would consider an attack by Ukraine using Western missiles as a strike by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power and would retaliate with a nuclear weapon.

“The Russian Federation retains the right to use nuclear weapons in the case of aggression using conventional weapons against it,” he said.

What Does the Doctrine Change? Here’s What We Know

The new doctrine expands the scenarios under which Russia might deploy nuclear weapons. It states that:

1) A conventional attack by a non-nuclear power supported by a nuclear power (e.g., NATO) will be considered a joint attack.

2) A nuclear response could follow any attack posing a critical threat to Russia’s sovereignty or territorial integrity, or that of its ally Belarus.

3) Massive aerial assaults involving ballistic missiles, drones, or other advanced weaponry may also trigger a nuclear response.

This broad interpretation grants Putin greater latitude in justifying the use of nuclear weapons, a move analysts see as an effort to deter the West from bolstering Ukraine’s defenses.

Also Read: Putin Offers Condition for Ending Ukraine War

Consequences for the Ukraine War

Putin’s revised policy serves as a warning to the U.S. and NATO allies. It aims to dissuade them from further arming Ukraine, signaling that any escalation could lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Following the recent escalation, Sergei Ryabkov, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister who oversees arms control and U.S. relations, warned that the danger of a direct clash between nuclear powers cannot be underestimated.

“Now the danger of a direct armed clash between nuclear powers cannot be underestimated. What is happening has no analogues in the past; we are moving through unexplored military and political territory,” he said.

According to the Federation of American Scientists, Putin’s Russia controls about 5,580 nuclear warheads, while the U.S. has about 5,244. Together, both countries control 88 percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal.

In Russia, the decision to launch nuclear weapons rests solely with Putin. Similarly, in the U.S., the President has sole authority over nuclear launches, a responsibility currently held by Joe Biden.

A Historical Context: Nuclear Weapons in War

The only use of nuclear weapons in conflict occurred during World War II when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The bombings killed over 200,000 people, leading to Japan’s surrender and marking the end of the war. The devastation underscored the destructive capacity of nuclear weapons and has since served as a cautionary tale.

Putin’s move revives fears of a nuclear conflict in a world already destabilized by his invasion of Ukraine.