Nuclear Doctrine Update: Russia Declares Conventional Attack Will Trigger Nuclear Response

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a revised nuclear doctrine, declaring that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on his country.

The updated doctrine states that an attack against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” will be seen as their “joint attack on the Russian Federation.”

It adds that Russia could use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear strike or a conventional attack posing a “critical threat to sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Russia and its ally Belarus, a vague formulation that leaves broad room for interpretation.

The document also notes that an aggression against Russia by a member of a military bloc or coalition is viewed as “an aggression by the entire bloc,” a clear reference to NATO.

Putin’s endorsement of the new nuclear deterrent policy comes on the 1,000th day after he sent troops into Ukraine, on Feb. 24, 2022.

The signing of the doctrine, which says that any massive aerial attack on Russia could trigger a nuclear response, demonstrates Putin’s readiness to tap the country’s nuclear arsenal to force the West to back down as Moscow presses a slow-moving offensive in Ukraine.

Asked whether the updated doctrine was deliberately issued on the heels of Biden’s decision, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the document was published “in a timely manner” and that Putin instructed the government to update it earlier this year so that it is “in line with the current situation.”

Background

Putin first announced changes in the nuclear doctrine in September, when he chaired a meeting discussing the proposed revisions.

Russia’s president has previously warned the U.S. and other NATO allies that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied longer-range weapons to hit Russian territory would mean that Russia and NATO are at war.

Nuclear Deterrence Principles

The updated doctrine spells out conditions for using nuclear weapons in greater detail compared with previous versions of the doctrine, noting they could be used in case of a massive air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles.

The wide formulation appears to significantly broaden the triggers for possible nuclear weapons use compared with the previous version of the document, which stated that Russia could tap its atomic arsenal if case of an attack with ballistic missiles.

Implications

The update is seen as a move to strengthen Russia’s military deterrence and to increase the pressure on the West to back down in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russian hawks have been calling for toughening the doctrine for months, arguing that the previous version failed to deter the West from increasing its aid to Ukraine and created the impression that Moscow would not resort to nuclear weapons.

Conclusion

The revised nuclear doctrine sends a clear message from Putin to the West that Russia will not hesitate to use its nuclear arsenal to defend its interests and territorial integrity.

The implications of this doctrine are far-reaching and will likely have significant consequences for global security and stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the revised nuclear doctrine?

A: The revised nuclear doctrine declares that a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power will be considered a joint attack on Russia.

Q: What are the conditions for using nuclear weapons?

A: The doctrine states that nuclear weapons could be used in case of a massive air attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, drones and other flying vehicles, or in response to a nuclear strike or a conventional attack posing a “critical threat to sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Russia and its ally Belarus.

Q: What are the implications of the revised doctrine?

A: The doctrine is seen as a move to strengthen Russia’s military deterrence and to increase the pressure on the West to back down in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.