News of War Staff Writer
Russia's Deputy head of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov, visits the Prudboi military training ground in Volgograd region, Russia June 1, 2023. Sputnik/Yekaterina Shtukina/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Medvedev Cautions of Nuclear Response to Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Missile Sites
Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, issued a stern warning on Thursday regarding potential Ukrainian attacks on Russian missile launch locations. He highlighted that if Ukraine, using weapons provided by the United States and its allies, targeted these sites within Russia, it could provoke a nuclear reaction from Moscow.
Medvedev specifically mentioned that some Ukrainian military leaders are contemplating assaults on Russian missile bases using long-range missiles supplied by Western countries. He refrained from identifying these commanders or elaborating on the supposed plan. As of now, Ukraine has not responded to Medvedev's statement.
Medvedev expressed his concern on the Telegram messaging app, stating, "What does this mean? It means only one thing – they risk running into the action of paragraph 19 of the fundamentals of Russia's state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence." He added, "This should be remembered."
Paragraph 19 of Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine outlines scenarios where a Russian president might consider deploying nuclear weapons. These scenarios include a response to an attack with nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction or to conventional weapon attacks that threaten Russia's state existence.
He specifically referred to subpoint "g" of paragraph 19, which addresses the nuclear response to conventional weapon attacks.
While President Vladimir Putin ultimately controls Russia's extensive nuclear arsenal, diplomats acknowledge that Medvedev's perspectives reflect hawkish views within the Kremlin's upper echelons. These views frame the conflict as a critical battle against the West.
Critics of the Kremlin have previously dismissed some of Medvedev's nuclear threats as either attention-seeking tactics or efforts to deter Western nations from further arming Ukraine. The United States and its allies have committed nearly $250 billion in military and other aid to Kyiv.
Since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, when Russia deployed thousands of troops into its neighbour, the threat of nuclear escalation has been a constant concern.
In late 2022, Washington expressed apprehension over potential Russian nuclear escalation. Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, communicated these concerns to Moscow, specifically regarding any movement towards using a nuclear device.
Russia and the United States are the world's leading nuclear powers. Putin commands 5,889 nuclear warheads, while U.S. President Joe Biden oversees approximately 5,244 nuclear warheads, as reported by the Federation of American Scientists.
Although Medvedev once portrayed himself as a liberal reformer during his presidency from 2008-2012, he currently positions himself as one of the Kremlin's most vehement anti-Western figures.