Kremlin: Use of Western missiles by Ukraine against Russia could lead to nuclear response

Speaking at a news briefing on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that the use of Western non-nuclear missiles by the Ukraine against the Russian Federation under the new doctrine could lead to a nuclear response.

His comment comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin approved changes to the country’s nuclear doctrine earlier on Tuesday, expanding conditions under which nuclear weapons could be used, including in cases of attacks by non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers, per The Moscow Times.

Russia’s response follows US President Joe Biden’s authorization to Ukraine to use American Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to strike inside Russia on Sunday, a move the Kremlin warned could lead to “a significant new round of escalation.”