Russian President Vladimir Putin signed updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, expanding the conditions under which nuclear weapons might be used. The changes, finalized on Tuesday, appear to directly respond to Ukraine’s approval to use U.S.-supplied weapons for deeper strikes into Russian territory. This decision follows President Joe Biden’s recent authorization for Ukraine to conduct long-range attacks with American weapons.
Previously, Russia’s nuclear policy was limited to countering attacks involving ballistic missiles or threats to its nuclear arsenal. The updated doctrine now considers attacks involving non-nuclear states as severe as those from nuclear-armed adversaries, especially if these attacks are supported by nuclear-armed allies. This aligns with Ukraine’s current situation, where it receives significant Western military support, including weapons and intelligence, to counter Russia’s aggression.
The Kremlin emphasized the heightened threat posed by advanced weapons like drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic systems crossing Russia’s borders. These updates were introduced just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Biden to discuss employing advanced Western systems like ATACMS missiles for strikes deep within Russian territory. Analysts, including Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, view these updates as a calculated response to discourage NATO’s continued support for Ukraine.
The doctrine’s revision adds to Russia’s series of nuclear warnings since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, none of which have materialized. Experts suggest the move reflects a strategic escalation in rhetoric aimed at reshaping the conflict’s dynamics as Western nations, led by the U.S. and U.K., weigh broader support for Ukraine amid global tensions.
