Alexei Zhuravlev, first deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Defence Committee, has called on Moscow to be prepared to use tactical nuclear weapons to force Ukraine to surrender. The MP stated that there should be no debate about the legitimacy of such a move.
Briefly about the main points
- Zhuravlev urged people not to rule out the possibility of a nuclear attack against Ukraine.
- He stated that the aim was to force Ukraine to surrender.
- The decision to use nuclear weapons is formally taken by the President of the Russian Federation.
- The nuclear rhetoric of Russian politicians has intensified recently.
The MP insists that there should be no debate
Zhuravlev stated that there should be no discussion in Russia about whether tactical nuclear weapons could be used against Ukraine. According to him, «if necessary», Russia is allegedly obliged to take such a step.
The MP linked the possible use of these weapons to an intention to force Ukraine to surrender. However, the statement by the State Duma member does not constitute a decision by the Russian military and political leadership to use nuclear weapons.
Zhuravlev’s previous statements and the State Duma’s rhetoric
Back in June 2026, Zhuravlev had already spoken of the possibility of use of nuclear weapons. At the time, he said that Moscow must defeat Ukraine by any means necessary, but he specifically emphasised that he was not calling for a nuclear bomb to be dropped on Kyiv immediately.
At the end of August, the Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy also called on to step up attacks on Ukrainian cities. He explained that this was driven by a desire to demoralise the population and force Ukraine to surrender.
Such public statements continue the aggressive rhetoric of Russian officials. NATO and the US have previously described Moscow’s nuclear signals as a tool of coercion and intimidation in the war against Ukraine.
What defines Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine
Vladimir Putin In November 2024, it approved the updated «Fundamentals of the Russian Federation’s State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence». The document describes nuclear weapons as a last resort and a means of last resort, and also lists the circumstances declared by Moscow under which they might be used.
The doctrine does not set out a separate procedure specifically for tactical nuclear weapons: it refers to nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrent forces in general. Formally, the decision to use them is taken by the President of the Russian Federation.
Therefore, the MP’s public call constitutes a nuclear threat, but does not in itself imply a formal decision by Russia to launch a nuclear strike against Ukraine.
