Russian President Vladimir Putin stated Sunday that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine “has not arisen” and expressed hope that such a scenario will not materialize in the future, according to comments broadcast on state television.
“Russia has the strength and means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a logical conclusion,” Putin said during the broadcast, signaling confidence in conventional military capabilities while addressing growing international concerns about potential nuclear escalation.
The statements come months after Putin signed a revamped version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine in November that expanded the circumstances under which Russia might consider using its nuclear arsenal. The updated doctrine notably includes the option of nuclear warfare in response to conventional attacks if they are backed by a nuclear power.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military reported it successfully shot down 69 of 165 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks. Officials said an additional 80 drones were “lost” – meaning they were either redirected through electronic warfare or were drone simulators without warheads.
These latest aerial assaults injured at least 11 people, including two children, and ignited fires at residential buildings in Kyiv’s Obolonskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, according to Timur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration.
Debris from destroyed drones caused property damage as Russia continues its campaign of aerial bombardment against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, which has been a consistent feature of the conflict since its escalation in 2022.
