Is Russia currently inclined towards deploying nuclear weapons?

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, recently signed a new version of the country's nuclear doctrine which outlines the circumstances in which he would utilize Moscow's nuclear arsenal. This revised document, titled "Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence," has been in the works for several months and allows Putin to potentially use nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. This could include the use of U.S.-supplied missiles by Ukraine, which Moscow claims happened on Tuesday.

The new version of the nuclear doctrine has sparked concerns due to its lowered threshold for using nuclear weapons. Prior to this, the use of nuclear weapons was only considered in response to a nuclear attack, but now it could also be used in response to a conventional strike. This has raised alarms about the potential for a nuclear escalation in conflicts between nuclear and non-nuclear nations.

The doctrine outlines the purpose of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and states that their use is an extreme and compelled measure. It also emphasizes that Russia is committed to reducing the nuclear threat and preventing conflicts that could escalate to the use of nuclear weapons. However, it also stresses that nuclear deterrence is necessary to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, deter potential aggressors, and prevent military conflicts from escalating.

The doctrine specifies several scenarios in which Putin could consider using nuclear weapons, such as in response to a nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction attack on Russia or its allies, or if an enemy poses a critical threat to Russia's retaliatory capabilities. It also allows for the use of nuclear weapons if there is reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles or other flying vehicles targeting Russia or its allies.

The decision to sign this revised doctrine comes at a tense time for Russia, particularly with ongoing conflicts with Ukraine and tension with the U.S. and its NATO allies. It also follows the recent decision by the U.S. to allow Ukraine to use longer-range missiles, which could potentially hit Russian territory. This has been met with strong warnings from Putin, who has stated that it could lead to a war between Russia and NATO.

In conclusion, the new version of Russia's nuclear doctrine has sparked concerns over the potential use of nuclear weapons in response to a conventional attack. While the purpose of nuclear weapons remains as deterrence, the lowered threshold for their use has raised alarms about the possibility of a nuclear escalation in conflicts. The decision to sign this revised doctrine comes at a tense time for Russia, and it remains to be seen how it will impact their relationships with other nations.
The Associated Press has reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently signed a new version of his country's nuclear doctrine. This updated document outlines the circumstances in which Putin could potentially use nuclear weapons, and has been in the works for several months.

The new version of the doctrine has a rather mundane title - "Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence" - but its contents are quite chilling, especially with the recent revisions. This document, more commonly known as Russia's nuclear doctrine, lays out when Putin could utilize the country's massive nuclear arsenal.

The updated doctrine has lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons, now allowing for a response to even a conventional attack by a non-nuclear nation that is supported by a nuclear power. This could potentially include the use of U.S.-supplied missiles by Ukraine, which Moscow claims happened on Tuesday when six missiles struck the Bryansk region.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such an attack could potentially trigger a nuclear response under the revised document. This has raised concerns and questions about Russia's nuclear doctrine and what it entails.

So what exactly is Russia's nuclear doctrine? The first version was signed by Putin in 2020, and the latest version was just approved on Tuesday, according to the Kremlin. It outlines the circumstances in which Russia could use its nuclear arsenal.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Putin and other Kremlin officials have frequently threatened the West with their nuclear weapons. However, this has not stopped Ukraine's allies from providing them with advanced weaponry, some of which has even hit Russian territory.

The revised document describes nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and states that their use would only be considered as an extreme and compelled measure. It also declares that Russia is actively working to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent any escalation of conflicts, including those involving nuclear weapons.

The main purpose of this nuclear deterrence is to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies. It is meant to deter any potential aggressors and, in the event of a military conflict, to stop hostilities on terms acceptable to Russia.

The document also states that the use of nuclear weapons would only be considered in response to a nuclear or other mass destruction attack against Russia or its allies. It would also be used in the event of aggression against Russia and Belarus with conventional weapons that threaten their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In addition, if a non-nuclear power attacks Russia with the support of a nuclear power, it will be seen as a joint attack on Russia. The document also outlines specific scenarios in which nuclear weapons could be used, such as in response to the launch of ballistic missiles targeting Russia or its allies, or if weapons of mass destruction are used against Russian military units or facilities.

The president also has the authority to inform other countries or international organizations about the readiness to use nuclear weapons or to declare that they have already been used.

However, this does not mean that the use of nuclear weapons is imminent. Even before signing the revised doctrine, Putin warned the U.S. and its NATO allies against allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles, stating that it could lead to war between Russia and NATO. The decision to use nuclear weapons would only be made as a last resort in extreme circumstances.

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