Part 5/9:
Historically, Russia's approach to nuclear engagement has fluctuated. The military doctrine laid out in 2010 only permitted nuclear weapon use in specific circumstances: against weapons of mass destruction or severe conventional threats. The subsequent amendment in 2020 introduced more leniency by allowing a nuclear response based on credible ballistic missile threats.
However, Putin’s current doctrine appears far less restrained. By framing Western aid to Ukraine, especially through joint attacks on Russian territory, as grounds for nuclear weapons deployment, Putin is maneuvering into a position where he could justify using nuclear arms under expanded criteria.