The corresponding article by the head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Major General Andrei Sterlin, and the leading researcher at the Center for Military Strategic Research of the Military Academy of the General Staff, Doctor of Military Sciences, Colonel Alexander Khryapin, was published in the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper.
The main subjects of deterrence are states and military coalitions that have nuclear potential and regard Russia as a potential enemy, as well as countries that provide their territory for the deployment of strategic offensive weapons, strategic anti-missile defense and other types of weapons “that can be used against Russia or its allies. "
"If the first group of states does not raise questions, then the selection of the second group is a warning to the leadership of these states that they need to think very well before giving permission to deploy strategic offensive weapons of other states on their territory," the General Staff noted.
They stressed that in the foundations of the state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence, Russia has designated "red lines" for potential adversaries.
The General Staff also added that if information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of Russia or its allies, it will not be possible to determine the type of its equipment, and "any attacking missile will be positioned as a missile with nuclear equipment."
On June 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved the framework for state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence, which is aimed at ensuring that potential adversaries understand the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against Russia and its allies.
The document provides for the right of Russia to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of similar weapons and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it and its allies.
In this case, the decision to use nuclear weapons is made by the head of state.