Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning of a potential nuclear attack against Western nations in response to a massive airstrike on Russia. The strike reportedly involved the use of a UK-supplied cruise missile by Ukraine to target a location within Russian territory.

Following the nuclear warning, President Putin held discussions with Moscow’s top security officials regarding Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy.

Putin’s growing concern

Putin’s warning follows growing concerns in Moscow about Ukraine's possible use of Western-supplied cruise missiles, especially those provided by the UK and the US, to strike Russian targets. Last week, the United Kingdom reportedly approved the use of its ‘Storm Shadow’ cruise missile for attacks on Russian positions.

The 'Storm Shadow' Missile: A game changer

At the centre of the controversy is the 'Storm Shadow' missile, a collaborative project between the UK and France. With an impressive range of around 500 km, it has been incorporated into Ukraine's military arsenal, including its Su-24 bombers. Known as SCALP-EG in France, this missile marks a significant shift in the conflict, giving Ukraine the capability to strike deep into Russian territory with advanced precision weaponry.

The discussion was highlighted when UK Prime MInister Keir Starmer  visited Washington and met U.S President Joe Biden. They emphasise on the involvement of Western nations in the Ukraine conflict and the complicated dynamics of international military support.

nuclear attack
Image Source: PurePNG

Earlier, Russian intelligence had warned Moscow about the possibility of Western nations permitting Ukraine to use cruise missiles to target Russia.

Ukraine's potential use of these advanced cruise missiles against Russian targets has led Russia to reconsider its nuclear strategy. Putin's nuclear doctrine, formulated four years before the Ukraine conflict, allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to either a nuclear strike or a conventional threat that jeopardises the state's survival. This policy is now under review as Russia confronts the possibility of direct attacks on its territory, facilitated by Western military support and technology.

Russian intelligence had earlier warned Moscow of the likelihood that Western nations would permit Ukraine to launch cruise missile strikes on Russian territory.

Putin’s response to west

Commenting on reports that the US and UK may soon authorise Ukraine to target Russian soil with cruise missiles, President Putin stated this month, "The West would be directly engaging with Russia if it gave such permission to Ukraine," adding that Moscow would be compelled to make "appropriate decisions" in such a case.

As the two largest nuclear powers, Russia and the United States hold control over 88 percent of the world's nuclear arsenal.

Russia’s current nuclear doctrine, established by Vladimir Putin four years before the Ukraine conflict, allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear strike or if a conventional attack threatens the country's survival.

You might also be interested in - India and UAE sign historic civil nuclear agreement