Vladimir Putin issues nuclear threats to the West following "massive" air assaults

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear warning to the West on Wednesday concerning strikes on Russian territory from Ukraine. According to an updated nuclear doctrine, any attack on Russia by a non-nuclear nation supported by a nuclear power would be seen as a combined attack on Russia.

Putin stated, "It is proposed that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state, but with the participation or support of a nuclear state, be considered as their joint attack on the Russian Federation."

He emphasized that Russia might use nuclear weapons if it detects a substantial launch of air and space attack assets, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones, crossing its borders.


In response, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said, "Russia no longer has any instruments to intimidate the world apart from nuclear blackmail." He added that these intimidation tactics would not succeed.

Zelenskyy has also expressed a desire to seek approval from U.S. and European allies to use longer-range weapons to strike deep within Russian territory. However, the Biden administration has clarified that it has not allowed Kyiv to use U.S. weapons for attacks inside Russia.

Russia's nuclear policy, laid out in a 2020 decree by Putin, notes that Russia might use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional attack threatening the nation's existence.

In 2022, the United States showed concern over the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia. CIA Director Bill Burns highlighted that the U.S. had warned Russia about the severe consequences of such actions. Together, Russia and the U.S. control 88% of the world's nuclear arsenal, according to Reuters.