On Tuesday, June 2, the foundations of state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence entered into force in Russia. This is stated in the decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, published on the official Internet portal of legal information.

“The state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence is defensive in nature, aimed at maintaining the potential of nuclear forces at a level sufficient to ensure nuclear deterrence, and guarantees the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, deterrence of a potential adversary from aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies, and in the event of a military conflict - to prevent the escalation of hostilities and their cessation on conditions acceptable to the Russian Federation and (or) its allies, ”the document states.

It is noted that Russia considers nuclear weapons "exclusively as a means of deterrence, the use of which is an extreme emergency measure." At the same time, the country's authorities are taking all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations.

“Nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that the potential adversary understands the inevitability of retaliation in the event of aggression against the Russian Federation and (or) its allies,” the decree says.

The composition of the nuclear deterrence forces includes ground, sea and air-based nuclear forces. Deterrence will occur at the expense of all the military power of Russia, including nuclear weapons.

In addition, nuclear deterrence is carried out against individual states and military coalitions, including blocs, unions that consider Russia as a potential adversary and possess nuclear weapons and (or) other types of WMD "or significant combat potential of general forces." It is also carried out continuously, both in peacetime, and during the period of direct threat of aggression and in wartime, until the start of the use of nuclear weapons.

At the same time, the document outlines the main dangers for Russia. Among them: the buildup of general forces at the Russian borders, the deployment of offensive weapons in other countries, the deployment of missile defense and strike systems in space, the presence of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction, the uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear weapons and the deployment of nuclear weapons in non-nuclear states .

  • The launch of the Sarmat ballistic missile
  • RIA News
  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

The document explains that the decision on the use of nuclear weapons is made by the president. At the same time, the Russian leader can, if necessary, inform the military-political leadership of other countries or international organizations about this.

Four conditions are also listed that determine Russia's ability to use nuclear weapons.

We are talking about reliable information about the launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of the Russian Federation and (or) its allies, the use by an adversary of nuclear weapons or other types of WMD on the territories of the Russian Federation and (or) its allies; the enemy’s influence on critically important state or military facilities of Russia, the failure of which will lead to the disruption of the response of nuclear forces; aggression against the Russian Federation with the use of conventional weapons, when the very existence of the state is threatened.

According to the document, the Ministry of Defense is entrusted with the direct planning and implementation of organizational and military measures in the field of nuclear deterrence.

Note that in late May, Acting First Deputy Assistant Pentagon Chief Drew Walter announced that the United States would be able to conduct a nuclear test within a few months if Donald Trump instructed. The last nuclear test at the moment was carried out by the Americans in 1992.

In September 2019, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced that Moscow would adhere to a moratorium on nuclear tests, if other powers also abide by it.

“Russia will never be the first to use nuclear weapons”

As the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense, Yuri Shvytkin, said in an interview with RT, the decree adopted by the president is a trend of today and takes into account domestic defense and foreign policy activities.

“This topic is gaining relevance, has a certain degree of novelty, taking into account the foreign policy challenges that the United States and NATO countries are trying to impose on the world. Our policy can be said to be defensive and warning, ”he explained.

In turn, Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, noted that the President of Russia once again emphasized with this decree that our state is committed to nuclear disarmament. 

“Nuclear weapons are an exclusively element of deterrence and we use them to protect our national security. This is our guarantee of future existence. But we will never be the first to use nuclear weapons and we will not use them for any extremist purposes, ”the source said.