Putin Signs Decree No. 991 Expanding Nuclear Doctrine to Include Conventional Attacks

Nov 19, 2024, 08:45 AM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed Decree No. 991, approving an updated nuclear doctrine that expands the conditions under which Russia may use nuclear weapons. The new doctrine states that aggression against Russia or its allies, including Belarus, by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear state will be considered a joint attack on Russia. This includes aggression involving conventional weapons. The document emphasizes that the decision to use nuclear weapons remains solely with the president and lowers the threshold for their use. The updated doctrine also indicates that any attack on Russia by a member of a military bloc will be considered as aggression by the entire bloc.