Russia sets conditions for using nuclear weapons

The Chairman of the Defense Committee of the State Duma (lower house of parliament) of the Russian Federation, Andrei Kartapolov, said on September 28 that the West's permission for Ukraine to conduct long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory could be the basis for the use of nuclear weapons under the revised nuclear doctrine.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin announced a revision of the nuclear doctrine, emphasizing that an aggressive act by a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear-armed state would be considered an act of aggression against Russia.

Mr. Putin also announced the possibility of using nuclear weapons in response to aggression against the Russian Federation and Belarus, as well as in the event of a mass missile launch.

MP Kartapolov explained that the revision of Russia's nuclear doctrine will make it more flexible and effective, in line with current realities.

In another development, Ukraine's Telegram channel Legitimny quoted a well-informed source as saying that Western intelligence agencies believe Russia could use tactical nuclear weapons.

According to sources, Western intelligence agencies have warned President Zelensky's office and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) about the possibility of a tactical nuclear strike against Ukraine that Russia is allegedly preparing.