Russia updates nuclear doctrine to lower strike threshold in response to conventional attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a new nuclear doctrine that lowers the threshold for using nuclear weapons. This change allows for a nuclear response to a wider range of conventional attacks, especially if supported by a nuclear-armed ally. The updated doctrine comes after the U.S. permitted Ukraine to use longer-range missiles against Russia. Kremlin officials indicated that such strikes could trigger a nuclear response, marking a significant shift in Russia's nuclear policy since the original doctrine was established in 2020. The new policy states that any attack on Russia or its allies, particularly if backed by a military bloc, could be considered a joint attack. This revision reflects heightened tensions amid ongoing military support for Ukraine from Western nations.