During a rare public session of Russia’s Security Council on nuclear deterrence, the dictator announced that the amendments concern scenarios where Russia is attacked by a non-nuclear state.
“The draft expands the category of states and military alliances against which nuclear deterrence is applied,” said Putin.
“The list of military threats that warrant nuclear deterrence measures has been expanded. Of particular note: the updated document proposes considering aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, if supported by a nuclear state, as a joint attack on Russia.”
Putin added that "credible information" about the launch of aerospace attack systems aimed at Russia would trigger a nuclear response. Furthermore, a “critical threat” to Russia's sovereignty from conventional weapons would also justify a nuclear response.
He specifically mentioned potential threats posed by aircraft, missiles, and drones, including strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic, and other aerial vehicles.
Putin's statement comes amid discussions among Ukraine's allies about allowing Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory using Western-supplied weapons. Despite Moscow’s previous nuclear threats over Western military aid to Ukraine have proven to be empty, the Kremlin is likely hoping that explicitly amending its nuclear deterrence policy would make Kyiv’s partners reconsider deepening their aid commitments.