Russian state media reported on Sunday that Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov announced Russia’s intention to revise its nuclear doctrine. The decision is based on recent conflict examination and analysis, including Western escalation related to the special military operation. Ryabkov noted that the relevant document is being finalized, but establishing a specific timeframe for its completion remains a complicated issue, as it involves the most critical aspects of national security.

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview that the country is prepared for a nuclear war from a military-technical standpoint. He asserted that the troops are in a constant state of combat readiness and Russia’s nuclear triad is more modern than any other in the world.

The Foundations of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Area of Nuclear Deterrence, signed by Putin in 2020, outlines that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to nuclear or other mass destruction attacks against itself and its allies, as well as aggression against itself, utilizing conventional weapons that jeopardize the existence of the state.

Additionally, it specified four conditions under which Russia may resort to nuclear weapons, including receiving reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting Russia and/or its allies, an adversary’s use of nuclear or other mass destruction weapons against Russia and/or its allies, adversary actions targeting critical state or military assets that could disrupt Russia’s nuclear retaliation, and conventional aggression against Russia that threatens the existence of the state. Putin noted in June that Russia’s nuclear doctrine was a living document that could be amended to adapt to new circumstances.