"Everything is mentioned in the nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
"You can read the (nuclear) doctrine, there is everything," Peskov was quoted by the Russian "Novosti" news agency as saying.
The Kremlin's response came after repeated accusations from Western countries that Russian President Vladimir Putin could resort to the use of tactical nuclear weapons, perhaps in a show bombing over the Black Sea, the Arctic Ocean or inside Ukrainian territory.
Although Russia has declared more than once that it considers nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and defense only, the terms of its nuclear doctrine - and in the latest amendment to it that took place in 2020 included several examples - will push it to use its arsenal of unconventional weapons in the face of any threat to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to protect its interests and the interests of its allies as well.
What is remarkable about these examples is that they do not require that the first strike be from an enemy country, as Moscow can use nuclear weapons in a preemptive strike.
But what are the scenarios that, if they occur, the Russian president will not hesitate to press the nuclear button.
First scenario:
Russia obtaining reliable data confirming the intention of a party to launch ballistic missiles at its territory or the territory of its allies.
Second scenario:
Russia or one of its allies has been attacked by any kind of weapons of mass destruction, which include nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, in other words unconventional weapons.
Third scenario:
Russia can use its nuclear arsenal even if it is targeted with conventional weapons, but only if such targeting threatens the existence of the state.
Fourth scenario:
In the event that sensitive government or military sites are attacked by an enemy, Russia's nuclear doctrine allows it to use a nuclear weapon in response.