Kremlin expands conditions for nuclear response
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed a decree approving a new nuclear doctrine, according to the document published on the Kremlin website on Nov. 19.
The doctrine prioritizes deterring aggression against Russia and its allies as a main state goal.
It states that a nuclear strike by Russia could be launched in response to “aggression by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear state” or in the event of a massive air attack by non-nuclear means, including drones.
The doctrine also considers “aggression by any state in a military coalition against Russia or its allies as aggression by the entire coalition.”
Other key points include the use of nuclear weapons in response to a "critical threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia or Belarus," as well as the use of "nuclear and/or other weapons of mass destruction" against them.
The doctrine also defines the enemy against which nuclear deterrence measures will be implemented, and considers the launch of ballistic missiles against Russia and the provision of territory and resources for aggression against Russia as a basis for nuclear deterrence.
The new doctrine replaces the previous version adopted in 2010.
Earlier on the same day, Ukrainian forces had reportedly carried out their first U.S-made ATACMS ballistic missile strike on a military facility on Russian territory after being authorized by President Joe Biden
The target of the attack is believed to be the 1046th logistics center near the town of Karachev in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, about 200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
This follows an earlier media reports on Nov. 17 that the U.S. Britain, and France had allowed Ukraine to carry out strikes deep into Russian territory with Western-made missiles.
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