Category
Latest news

Russia Issues First Nuclear Threat Since December, Citing Retaliation for Western “Unfriendly Actions”

2 min read
Authors
Amira_barkhush
Amira Barkhush
Author
Russia Issues First Nuclear Threat Since December, Citing Retaliation for Western “Unfriendly Actions”
Russian leader Vladimir Putin talks to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the military parade marking Russia’s Navy Day, on July 25, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Source: Getty Images)

Russian Security Council Secretary and former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated in an interview with TASS, released on April 23, that Moscow reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression by Western countries, emphasizing that Russia is particularly monitoring European nations.

According to Agenstvo, this marks the first nuclear threat from a senior Russian official since December.

Shoigu stated that, according to the latest changes in Russia’s nuclear doctrine, “Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against it or the Republic of Belarus, including the use of conventional weapons.”

The Security Council Secretary noted that in the event of “unfriendly actions” by foreign states that pose a threat to Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, “our country deems it justified to take symmetrical and asymmetrical measures necessary to prevent such actions and to stop them from recurring.”

Shoigu added that nuclear deterrence is aimed at “states and military coalitions” that consider Moscow a potential adversary, possess weapons of mass destruction or a significant conventional military potential, as well as countries that provide territory and resources for aggression against Russia.

On December 19, 2024, during the “Direct Line”, Russian leader Vladimir Putin spoke about the potential use of nuclear weapons, emphasizing that Russia could use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states if they pose a threat to Russia’s sovereignty.

See all