Nov
20
2024

Russia changes its nuclear war doctrine and rolls out radiation proof bomb shelters, after Ukraine fires 6 US missiles at Russia

Today, Ukraine fired 6 American made and supplied ATACMS missiles at a military facility in Bryansk. 5 missiles were intercepted, but 1 got through, sparking a fire (ref. 1). This is the first time that such a missile, operated by American military personnel in Ukraine, has been fired at a target on Russian soil.

This attack has prompted Russia to revise its nuclear weapons use doctrine. Russia may now use a nuclear weapon in response to aggression involving conventional weapons (ref. 2). I suppose, it depends on what an adversary has targeted. The new doctrine also says that an attack against Russia by a non-nuclear power with the participation or support of a nuclear power would be seen as a joint attack, and could trigger a nuclear response against both (ref. 2).

In other news, Russia has started to mass produce and roll out mobile nuclear bomb proof shelters called KUB-M. These modular shelters offers protection from shrapnel, shockwaves, and radiation (ref. 3).

Times of India on Russia’s KUB-M

So, Russia is now on a nuclear war footing.


References:

1. ABC (20 November 2024), “Russia says Ukraine fired US-made tactical missiles at military facility in Bryansk border region”, abc.net.au

2. ABC (19 November 2024), “Vladimir Putin signs revised Russian doctrine to lower threshold for potential nuclear strike”, abc.net.au

3. Guy Faulconbridge (20 November 2024), “Russia starts making nuclear-resistant mobile bomb shelters”, reuters.com