The Russian security official reaffirmed the right to use nuclear weapons, and raised four possibilities for Moscow's use of these weapons.
In an interview on March 26, Dmitry Medvedev, former President and currently Vice Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, reiterated Russia's nuclear doctrine, including the scenario that Moscow is not attacked. preceded by nuclear weapons.
"We have a special document on nuclear deterrence. This document specifies the bases on which the Russian Federation is entitled to use nuclear weapons. The first is the situation where Russia is being attacked. nuclear missile attack. The second case is any other type of nuclear weapon used against Russia or its allies," Medvedev said.
"The third case was an attack on critical infrastructure that crippled Russia's nuclear deterrent forces. The fourth case was when there was hostile action against Russia and its allies. , endangering the very existence of the country, even with conventional weapons, not including nuclear weapons," Medvedev added.
According to Mr. Medvedev, Russia's nuclear deterrence capacity demonstrates "the determination to defend the independence and sovereignty of the country", so that no one can doubt that Russia is "ready to respond appropriately to any aggressions. violate the independence of the country".
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who was absent for 12 days before reappearing on March 25 and giving a speech to Russian generals, also spoke about the nuclear threat in Russia's arsenal. Shoigu stressed that Russia's priorities are long-range weapons, weapons with high precision strike capabilities, aircraft equipment, and Moscow always maintains the readiness of strategic nuclear forces.
Russia currently has about 6,000 nuclear warheads - the world's largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. Russia's deterrent force consists of a variety of strategic weapons, both nuclear and conventional, that can be used for both defensive and offensive purposes.
In an interview with US media on March 22, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Russia's security policy stipulates that Moscow will only use nuclear weapons if the The country's survival is at stake. Peskov's statement came when reporters repeatedly asked him "do you believe" that President Putin will not decide to use nuclear weapons in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia's Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations on March 23 also mentioned the possibility of Moscow using nuclear weapons in case of NATO provocation.
A few days after opening a special military operation in Ukraine, President Putin announced on February 28 that he had placed strategic nuclear forces on high alert. The move raised concerns about the risk of nuclear war and drew criticism from the West.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this was a "dangerous" decision and would exacerbate tensions in Ukraine. White House press secretary Jen Psaki warned that represented an "totally unacceptable" escalation.
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