Putin has approved the updated nuclear doctrine of Russia: Basic provisions

In the updated doctrine, the threats were specified in which Russia could use nuclear weapons in response. Among these, the Kremlin is considering an attack on Belarus. On November 19, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "On approval of the foundations of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear restraint". The document came into force and was published on the official portal of legal information.

The new document has become a significant updating of Russia's nuclear doctrine in view of the change in the geopolitical environment and new threats faced by the country. One of the most important aspects is the expansion of grounds for nuclear weapons. Now, in addition to traditional aggression by nuclear states, aggression by non -nuclear states may also be the basis for the possible use of nuclear stroke, if it is carried out with the participation or support of a nuclear state.

This applies to both direct hostilities and mass air attacks, including using drones. In addition, the updated doctrine specifies the threats in which Russia has the right to use nuclear weapons in response. In particular, according to paragraph 15 of the document, the following threats include: also the conditions that determine the possibility of Russian nuclear weapons use: note that the previous version of the nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation was approved in June 2020.

She replaced a similar document, adopted 10 years before. Back in September, Russian Presidential President Dmitry Peskov stressed that changes in nuclear doctrine should be considered as a "specific signal" for Western countries. "It is a signal that warns these countries about the consequences in the event of their participation in the attack on our country by various means, and not necessarily nuclear," Peskov said.

Thus, the renovated doctrine is prioritized to protect the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, making nuclear weapons an extreme measure to neutralize threats that can call into question the independence and territorial integrity of the state. Recall that in October, Moscow increased the rhetoric of nuclear threats against Western countries in the context of a lasting war in Ukraine.