Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Russia will introduce changes to its nuclear deterrence doctrine, allowing for the use of nuclear weapons in response to attacks by non-nuclear states that use conventional weapons.
This includes actions supported by nuclear states, such as the U.S. or NATO allies.
According to reports from Russian state media on Telegram, the new version of the doctrine would consider any aggression by a non-nuclear state, supported or participated in by a nuclear state, as a joint attack on Russia.
This would potentially justify a nuclear response, Putin suggested.
Under these proposed changes, nuclear weapons could be used as soon as Russia receives "reliable information" about the launch of air and space weapons, including drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic aircraft, and their crossing of Russia's borders.
This broadens the scope of threats that could trigger a nuclear strike.
Russia also reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to aggression against its ally, Belarus, even if conventional weapons are involved.
Existing Nuclear Policy
The current Fundamentals of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence, first signed by Putin in June 2020, already allow for the use of nuclear weapons in case of ballistic missile attacks against Russia or its allies, as well as in situations where nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction are used against the country.
Nuclear strikes could also be ordered if critical military or state facilities are attacked or if an existential threat to the state arises.
Recent Failures in Russian Nuclear Testing
This announcement follows a string of failures in Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missile tests, as reported by Militarnyi.
The Sarmat missile, a key component of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, suffered an engine explosion at the Plesetsk test site, creating a 62-meter-wide crater. Out of five attempts, only one successful launch of the RS-28 Sarmat missile was recorded, on April 20, 2022.
The RS-28 Sarmat, also known as Satan II, is portrayed by Russia’s Ministry of Defense as an essential part of its nuclear deterrence strategy, although its repeated test failures have raised concerns about the reliability of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
