Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark nuclear warning to the West, stating that Moscow could resort to using nuclear weapons if attacked by conventional missiles from Ukraine, especially if such an assault is backed by a nuclear power. During a meeting of Russia’s Security Council, Putin emphasized that any attack on Russia, even by a non-nuclear state but supported by a nuclear power, would be considered a joint assault on the Russian Federation.
Putin highlighted the need for changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine to adapt to evolving global threats, indicating that the Kremlin’s move was in response to discussions in the US and UK regarding the possibility of Ukraine using conventional Western missiles to strike Russia. He further noted that Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons if it or its ally Belarus is targeted.
Meanwhile, Russian forces are intensifying their offensive near Vuhledar, a key Ukrainian stronghold, while Ukraine continues to hit Russian ammunition depots, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia’s military logistics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following his visit to the US, stressed the urgency for continued military support from the West. Ukrainian forces have made advancements in several key areas, but the battlefield situation remains fluid.
