Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a nuclear warning to Western powers today, responding to what he described as a potential “massive” airstrike on Russia.
His remarks follow rising tensions over the use of UK-supplied cruise missiles by Ukraine to target locations deep within Russian territory.
Putin’s warning came after an urgent meeting with Moscow’s top security officials to discuss Russia’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.
The warning underscores growing concern in Moscow regarding Western nations, particularly the UK and the US, allowing Ukraine to utilize long-range missiles against Russia.
Last week, the UK reportedly cleared Ukraine to use its Storm Shadow cruise missiles in strikes on Russian soil. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held discussions with US President Joe Biden in Washington, reportedly focused on Ukraine’s military actions within Russian territory.
Russian intelligence has been monitoring the situation and previously hinted at revising the country’s nuclear doctrine due to Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict.
Putin recently emphasized that any authorization from the West for Ukraine to launch such attacks would equate to direct confrontation with Russia, warning that Moscow would take “appropriate measures” in response.
Russia’s Nuclear Doctrine and Treaties with the US
Russia, the world’s largest nuclear power, currently controls 88% of the globe’s nuclear arsenal along with the United States.
According to its nuclear doctrine, updated by Putin four years ago, Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if it is subjected to a nuclear attack or if a conventional strike threatens the state’s existence.
Russia and the US are bound by the New START Treaty, which limits the number of deployed nuclear weapons and was extended until 2026.
However, recent statements from the Kremlin suggest that any future negotiations on replacing the treaty must account for European nuclear forces, including those of Britain and France.
Talks on a replacement for the treaty are yet to begin, and the Kremlin awaits a response from the US on this matter.