Media Wire Express Correspondent
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a series of updates to the national strategy for using nuclear weapons, intended to address the changing military and political situation and emergence of new threats.
The matter was brought up at the session of the Russian Security Council on Wednesday which was attended by the ministers of Defense and Finance and the heads of the SVR, FSB, Roscosmos and Rosatom.
“Today, the nuclear triad remains the most important guarantee of the security of our state and citizens, an instrument for maintaining strategic parity and the balance of power in the world,” Putin said
Putin clarified that this means “strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic and other aircraft.” The mention of drones here is especially significant, as Ukraine has repeatedly launched mass UAV attacks against Russian strategic bases.
Also Read: Putin Receives Rousing Welcome Despite ICC Arrest Warrant
For the first time, Russia has spelled out that its nuclear deterrent could be used in case of aggression against Belarus as well, as a member of the Union State. This includes a “critical threat to our sovereignty” through the use of conventional weapons, according to the proposal.
All of this has already been agreed with Minsk and President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin assured.
Since May, the government in Kiev has clamored for the US and its allies to remove all restrictions on use of their weapons against Russia, which Moscow has clearly said would represent direct Western involvement in the conflict.
Putin reiterated on Wednesday that the use of nuclear weapons remains an “extreme measure” to protect Russian sovereignty, but that Moscow must take into account that the “modern military-political situation is changing dynamically… including the emergence of new sources of military threats and risks for Russia and our allies.”
