Nuclear doctrine calls military exercises near Russian borders a danger for Russia

Large-scale military exercises conducted by potential adversaries near Russia's borders are among the main military dangers for the country. This is stated in the decree of Russian leader Vladimir Putin "On Approval of the Fundamentals of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence," which was published on November 19 on the website of legal acts.

According to the document, the exercises held on the border with Russia may pose a potential threat, as the situation may change at any moment. This will create a risk of a military threat to the Russian Federation.

On the same day, Putin approved the updated nuclear doctrine of the state. The similar doctrine of 2020 was recognized as invalid. The updated document includes the amendments that the head of state announced in September. In particular, for the first time a definition of a potential adversary against whom the Russian Federation is conducting nuclear deterrence is introduced.

In addition, the conceptual basis for a nuclear strike is clarified. The Russian Federation reserves the right to use it in response to the use of nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies. Another ground is aggression against Russia or Belarus as members of the Union State with the use of conventional weapons in case of a critical threat to their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Prior to that, on September 25, Putin said it was necessary to adapt the foundations of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence to modern realities. At that time, he said that after analysis, the Defense Ministry, Foreign Ministry, and Security Council proposed a number of changes to more clearly define the conditions for Russia's transition to the use of nuclear weapons.