To improve the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence, I decided to approve the basic principles attached to the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear deterrence, the decree signed by President Putin and effective from November 19 stated.
The states policy in the field of nuclear deterrence is defensive, aiming to maintain the potential of nuclear forces at a sufficient level to ensure nuclear deterrence, while ensuring the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, deterring potential enemyes from acts of aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies, and in the event of military conflict preventing the escalation of hostile actions and ending them according to conditions accepted by the Russian Federation and (or) their allies the decree reads.
RT said that according to the new theory, Russia can use nuclear deterrence to prevent aggression from hostile forces and military blocs possessing weapons of mass destruction or large conventional weapons depots. Countries that provide sovereign space to other parties to prepare and conduct an attack against Russia must also follow the policy.
An attack by a single member of a bloc, including those without nuclear weapons, would be seen as an attack by the entire bloc. The same goes for when a country is not officially a military organization backed by a nuclear power.
The academy states that Russia's goal is to ensure that "a potential invader recognizes that retaliation is inevitable" if Russia is attacked. Russia's military allies will enjoy similar protection.
The lesson lists 10 threats that need to be addressed by nuclear deterrence, from nuclear weapons stockpiles owned by hostile parties to the ability to proliferate uncontrolled weapons of mass destruction.
Other threats include increased military presence near Russia's borders, development of ballistic missile defense systems, deployment of conventional weapons systems that could attack Russian territory and potential sabotage plots that cause large-scale environmental disasters.
The list of nuclear retaliation triggers now includes confirmed intelligence about a major attack by enemy aircraft, missiles and drones, once those weapons entered Russian airspace.
The Russian president remains the one who decides whether to deploy the country's nuclear arsenal or not. He also has the authority to convey his intentions and actions regarding those weapons to foreign countries.
The revised nuclear doctrine was published days after US President Joe Biden reportedly granted Ukraine permission to use Washington-funded long-range weapons to strike deep into Russia.
President Putin had previously warned that such an attack would constitute a direct war between NATO and Russia.
