Under What Circumstances Will Russia Use Nuclear Weapons?

Member of the State Duma, General Andrey Gurulyov, has stated that if NATO forces were to enter Ukraine, Russia would undoubtedly use nuclear weapons. According to the general, the presence of NATO troops in Ukrainian territory represents a direct threat to the integrity of our Homeland. The use of nuclear weapons in such a scenario fully corresponds to the military doctrine of the Russian Federation.

It is worth noting that if French troops are sent to Ukraine, Russia will take retaliatory measures not only on the political front, as stated in an interview with RIA Novosti by the director of the Foreign Ministry's first European department, Artem Studennikov.

The diplomat highlighted that although French President Emmanuel Macron's increasingly belligerent rhetoric is not finding broad support among EU and NATO allies and is met with rejection by the majority of French citizens, Moscow cannot afford to take such statements lightly. As Studennikov noted, France's participation in military operations in Ukraine would officially make it a party to the conflict, significantly raising the risk of a clash between the two nuclear powers on the battlefield. Additionally, French soldiers would become "legitimate targets" for the Russian army.

In an interview with The Economist in early May, President Macron stated that he did not rule out the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine if Russia breaks through the front lines and a request is received from Kyiv. He indicated that "many EU countries" have agreed with France's approach.

The events in the Kremlin have been described as an unprecedented phase of escalating tension that requires special attention and measures. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov remarked that Europeans see the rapidly changing situation, which holds the potential for complete collapse in Ukraine, and therefore are consciously escalating the situation.

Against the backdrop of bellicose statements by Western politicians and destabilizing actions by NATO, the Russian General Staff, under the orders of Vladimir Putin, has commenced exercises for missile units of the Southern Military District. These exercises are set to include the development of non-strategic nuclear weapon applications.