November 19, 2024 08:54 GMT
RUSSIA: Putin Updates Nuclear Text, Retaliation If Russia Hit By LR Missiles
RUSSIA
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State-run media reports that President Vladimir Putin has confirmed an update to the country's 'nuclear doctrine', the parameters by which the use of nuclear weapons is dictated. The decree means "the category of states and military alliances subject to nuclear deterrence has been expanded. The list of military threats for the neutralization of which such actions are needed has been supplemented."
- "Aggression by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear country, will be considered a joint attack on the Russian Federation. In addition, a nuclear response from Russia is possible in the event of a critical threat to its sovereignty even with conventional weapons, [...], in the event of a massive launch of military aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, other aircraft and their crossing the Russian border."
- The updated doctrine comes after US President Joe Biden approved Ukraine using long-range US-made ATACMS missiles against the Russian Federation. The UK is also expected to allow the use of the Franco-British-made Storm Shadow missiles.
- This is not the first time that Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine in the 1,000 days of the war to date. It is also not the first time it has threatened Ukraine's allies as they increase support for Kyiv. As such it is difficult to tell where the 'red line' for Putin is in terms of retaliation. What can be said is that the use of long-range missiles on Russia increases the prospect of a direct retaliation against NATO or a tactical nuclear strike on Ukraine, both of which would alter the fundamentals of the war significantly.
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