In a significant escalation of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an updated nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon usage in response to conventional attacks that threaten Russia's sovereignty or territorial integrity. This development precedes reports that Ukraine has, for the first time, employed US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets within Russian territory.
The revised doctrine permits a nuclear response to conventional assaults if they pose a critical threat to Russia or its ally, Belarus. Notably, it considers attacks by non-nuclear states, supported by nuclear powers, as collective aggression warranting potential nuclear retaliation. Analysts interpret this change as a direct reaction to the United States' recent decision to allow Ukraine to utilise American-made missiles for deep strikes inside Russia.
Concurrently, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces launched six U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) at a military facility in the Bryansk region. While Russian air defences reportedly intercepted five of the missiles, debris from one caused a fire at the site, though no significant damage or casualties were reported. Ukrainian authorities confirmed the attack on the facility near Karachev but did not specify the weapons used.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that such actions could be perceived as direct involvement of NATO members in the conflict, potentially prompting a nuclear response. He emphasized that a conventional attack posing critical threats to Russia's sovereignty could lead to such measures.
The international community has expressed concern over these developments. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Russia's nuclear threats as irresponsible, while U.S. officials reiterated their support for Ukraine's right to defend its sovereignty. The situation underscores the escalating tensions and the potential for further intensification of the conflict.
As the war reaches its 1,000th day, these events mark a pivotal moment, highlighting the complexities and dangers inherent in the current geopolitical landscape. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging restraint and seeking avenues for de-escalation.
Image: Russian Duma/Wikimedia Commons
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