Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine: A Response to Escalating Tensions

Key Updates in Russia’s Nuclear Policy

Russias Revised Nuclear Strategy Raises Concerns About Potential Triggers, for Global Conflict Amid Missile Attacks.

Following the approval by U.S President Joe Biden for Ukraine’s Armed Forces (UAF) to utilize range ATACMS missiles against Russia and the subsequent announcement from Russia on November 19 regarding President Vladimir Putin endorsing a revised nuclear strategy that now permits the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation to ballistic missile assaults like those linked to ATACMS; concerns, about a potential global conflict have escalated significantly.

The Russian Defense Ministry has stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces employed long range missiles in an attack, on Russias Bryansk region during the evening of November 19th.

ATACMS Strikes: How Western Missiles Shift the Nuclear Debate

Putin has approved the revised strategy.
The spokesman for the Kremlin, Dmitry Peskov mentioned that any verified attacks on soil would heighten tensions highlighting President Putins earlier discussion on this matter in September during the International Forum of United Cultures, in St.Petersburg.

Important Aspects of Russia’s Updated Nuclear Policy
Nuclear arms serve as a deterrent strategy. Are viewed as a last resort defensive option.
The new focus includes deterring not potential enemies but also countries that offer land or resources for attacks, against Russia.
Characteristics of Aggression ; Aggression may encompass the formation of alliances or the actions of independent nations with substantial military capabilities even, in the absence of weapons of mass destruction.
Range non nuclear weapons such, as Western ballistic missiles are viewed as acts of aggression when they endanger Russias sovereignty or territorial integrity.
When a non nuclear state receives support from a power to launch an attack or when a military coalition engages in aggression it is considered a collective act of aggression.
Putin has mentioned before that if there were attacks inside Russia, by NATO and the U.S. it would change the conflict significantly and Moscow would react accordingly.

Medvedev warns that further escalation could potentially result in the outbreak of World War III.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev who currently serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council highlighted that the updated doctrine enables Russia to perceive attacks on its soil as assaults from NATO member nations."This gives Russia the authority to respond with weapons of destruction against Kyiv and vital NATO locations regardless of their whereabouts " Medvedev asserted while expressing concerns about the potential escalation, to a global conflict.

Western Perspective, on the Risk

Bloomberg has pinpointed three factors that are causing concerns, about the possibility of a third global conflict;

Tensions rising in Ukraine and the Middle East as China considers actions, towards Taiwan.
The increasing collaboration among countries considered adversaries of the United States such, as Russia, Iran and North Korea is a topic of concern that also involves China.
In the global landscape of nuclear capabilities and advancements in military arsenals by nations such as Russia mirroring that of the U.S. China swiftly closing the gap, in their nuclear capacity race and both North Korea and Iran making progress in their respective nuclear programs.
According to Reuters the current situation in Ukraine has led to a tension between Russia and Western countries not seen since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.The Financial Times analysts also concur that Russias updated strategy is a reaction to discussions in the U.S and UK regarding Ukraines ability to target Russian sites, with ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles.

Considerations, for Strategy Implications.

Experts advise against concentrating on Ukraine when analyzing Russias nuclear strategy."The Ukraine situation did have an impact but updates to policies are a regular procedure that mirrors wider shifts in the global nuclear landscape " analyst Stefanovich clarified.He further noted that the policy functions as a signal, to Ukraines supporters while acknowledging the changing dynamics of nuclear deterrence.