“In order 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 state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence is defensive in nature, aimed at maintaining the potential of nuclear forces at a level sufficient to ensure nuclear deterrence, while ensuring the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, deterring a potential enemy from acts of aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies, and in the event of a military conflict - preventing the escalation of hostilities and terminating them on terms acceptable to the Russian Federation and (or) its allies,” the decree reads.
According to the new doctrine, Russia can use nuclear deterrence to prevent aggression from hostile powers and military blocs possessing weapons of mass destruction or large conventional arsenals. Countries that provide their sovereign space for others to prepare and launch an attack against Russia must also comply with this policy, RT reported.
An attack by a single member of a bloc, including non-nuclear members, would be considered an attack by the bloc as a whole. The same applies when a state is not formally part of a military organization backed by a nuclear power.
The doctrine states that Russia's goal is to ensure that "a potential aggressor realizes that retaliation is inevitable" if Russia is attacked. Russia's military allies would enjoy similar protection.
The doctrine lists 10 threats that must be countered by nuclear deterrence, ranging from nuclear arsenals possessed by hostile parties to the uncontrolled proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Other threats include military buildup near Russia's borders, development of anti-ballistic missile systems, deployment of conventional weapons systems capable of striking Russian territory, and potential sabotage plots that could 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 enter Russian airspace.
The Russian president still has the final say on whether to use the country's nuclear arsenal. He also has the authority to communicate his intentions and actions regarding those weapons to foreign states.
The revised nuclear doctrine was released days after US President Joe Biden reportedly granted Ukraine permission to use Washington-funded long-range weapons to strike deep inside Russia.
President Putin has previously warned that such an attack would constitute a direct war between NATO and Russia.
