Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially adopted a new nuclear doctrine that designates any conventional military confrontation against Russia, supported by a nuclear-capable nation, as a unified assault on the country.

This change in policy comes precisely 1,000 days since the commencement of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022.

The timing of this doctrine aligns with U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent authorization allowing Ukraine to target areas within Russia using American-supplied longer-range missile systems.

Under this revised doctrine, which stipulates that any extensive aerial bombardment of Russian territory could provoke a nuclear response, Putin is signaling his willingness to leverage the nation’s nuclear capabilities as a means of compelling the West to retreat amid a protracted military campaign in Ukraine.