Putin's nuclear doctrine update: Medvedev warns of global peril
Vladimir Putin has signed a decree concerning state policy on nuclear deterrence. Dmitry Medvedev has issued a warning to the West, stating, "Russia may respond with weapons of mass destruction."
Many reports from Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports form part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.
"Russia's new nuclear doctrine means that NATO missiles fired into our country can be considered by the bloc as an attack on Russia," wrote Dmitry Medvedev.
"Russia may respond with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key NATO facilities, wherever they are located. This means World War III," he asserted on social media.
Putin signs the decree
The updated doctrine suggests that the basis for a nuclear attack could be "aggression against the Russian Federation and its allies by any non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state", as well as a massive air attack using non-nuclear means, including drones.
The document signed by Vladimir Putin states, among other things, that "Russia views nuclear weapons as a deterrent, the use of which is an extreme and compelled measure."
Immediately after the document was published, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov spoke. He mentioned the changes should be regarded as "a decisive signal to the West." This is a warning to those countries about the consequences if they participate in an attack on our country through various means, not necessarily nuclear ones," said Peskov.
