By Emmanuel Ogbodo
Russian President, Vladimir Putin has signed a decree authorizing the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states that are supported by nuclear powers.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, coincides with the 1,000th day of Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine and follows the U.S. decision to allow Kyiv to deploy long-range missiles targeting Russian sites.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov explained that aggression from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power would be considered a “joint attack.”
He described the decree as a response to the evolving global situation, emphasizing that nuclear weapons would only be used in retaliation to specific threats.
The policy also allows for nuclear retaliation against large-scale conventional airstrikes and extends to Russia’s ally, Belarus.
Peskov reiterated that Russia views its operations in Ukraine as a direct confrontation with the “collective West,” vowing to continue the “special military operation” until its goals are achieved.
