The conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons are spelled out in the “Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence,” an executive order signed by President Vladimir Putin on June 2, 2020 and active today.
Section III, “Conditions for the transition of the Russian Federation to the use
of nuclear weapons.” lists the following conditions under point 19:
“a) arrival of reliable data on a launch of ballistic missiles attacking the territory of the Russian Federation and/or its allies;
