Russia Redesigns Nuclear Deterrent Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks on the phone during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin via teleconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on June 2, 2020. Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 2 approved Russia’s nuclear deterrent policy, which allows the country to use atomic weapons in response to a nuclear attack or a conventional strike targeting the nation’s critical government and military infrastructure.

There are two new situations in which Russia can use nuclear weapons to respond, according to the new document.