Putin Signs Updated Nuclear Doctrine, Expanding Scenarios for Nuclear Use

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a revised nuclear doctrine, significantly broadening the conditions under which Russia might resort to nuclear weapons. The new policy, announced on Tuesday, considers any conventional attack on Russia by a country supported by a nuclear power as a joint assault on the Russian Federation.

This update follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to permit Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles to strike targets within Russia.

The revised doctrine underscores Putin’s willingness to leverage Russia’s nuclear arsenal as a deterrent amid escalating tensions in the region. It asserts that a massive aerial assault on Russia—potentially involving ballistic or cruise missiles, drones, or other aerial vehicles—could trigger a nuclear response.

When asked if the timing was linked to U.S. policy changes, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted the doctrine was updated “in a timely manner” and aligned with Putin’s earlier instructions to ensure it reflects current circumstances.

Putin initially hinted at these revisions in September during a high-level discussion on nuclear policy. The new doctrine specifies that any attack by a non-nuclear nation with the support of a nuclear power will be treated as a coordinated attack on Russia. However, it does not explicitly confirm that such actions would mandate a nuclear response.

The document introduces “uncertainty of scale, time, and place of possible use of nuclear deterrence,” a deliberate ambiguity aimed at strengthening deterrence. Additionally, it provides more detailed conditions for using nuclear weapons, expanding scenarios beyond the previous doctrine. For instance, nuclear weapons might now be deployed in response to air attacks involving advanced technologies like drones or other aerial systems.

The updated policy also emphasizes the defense of Russia’s allies, particularly Belarus. Under President Alexander Lukashenko’s authoritarian rule, Belarus has closely allied itself with Moscow, allowing Russian forces to stage operations in Ukraine and hosting Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its soil.

As Putin continues his slow-moving offensive in Ukraine, the revised doctrine reflects Russia’s strategy to use nuclear threats as leverage against the West, raising concerns about the escalating risks of the conflict.