Vladimir Putin has raised the level of nuclear threats, revising the Russian nuclear doctrine as a warning to the West, writes the Financial Times . This is a "clear signal" to Ukraine's allies, in particular the United States and Great Britain, which are considering providing Kyiv with long-range Storm Shadow missiles capable of hitting targets inside Russia.
Putin announced that Russia could amend its nuclear doctrine to allow the use of nuclear weapons in the event of aggression, even if it was carried out with conventional weapons, but would pose a "critical threat." Other changes include expanding the list of countries and military alliances against which nuclear deterrence can be used.
Although Putin did not specify whether Russia would use nuclear weapons in the event of a Western missile strike on its territory, experts note that the changes could significantly lower the nuclear threshold and increase the criteria for using nuclear strikes. According to the Russian leader, Moscow can use nuclear weapons even if there is "reliable information" about a massive attack from the air.
It should be noted that Russia last updated its nuclear doctrine in 2020. It provides for the possibility of using nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or in the event of the threat of destruction of the state during a conventional attack.
