Webinar: The Evolution of Russian Nuclear Thinking

Overview

This event will discuss recent developments in Russian nuclear doctrine, with a particular focus on perceived and inferred developments over the last three years.

We will explore what changes in stated Russian nuclear doctrine, lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, and developments in advanced NATO conventional capabilities – among other factors – can tell us about the role that Russia is likely to attribute to its strategic and – especially – non-strategic nuclear capabilities in deterrence dynamics and escalation management. We will also consider the implications of these developments on Euro-Atlantic security.

The event will feature a presentation by RUSI experts, followed by an audience Q&A.

Speakers

Dr Sidharth Kaushal - Senior Research Fellow for Sea Power and Integrated Air and Missile Defence at the Royal United Services Institute. His research includes studies examining the future of NATO IAMD, options for a UK BMD system and the Command and Control of GBAD formations and a net assessment of the balance of forces between NATO and Russia in a contemporary precision strike campaign.

Darya Dolzikova - Senior Research Fellow for Proliferation and Nuclear Policy at the Royal United Services Institute. Her research focuses on the strategic aspects of civil nuclear and nuclear weapons technology, with a particular interest in nuclear proliferation and nuclear safety in conflict zones. Darya also supports RUSI’s work on the role of nuclear weapons in strategic stability dynamics.

Moderator

Lukasz Kulesa – Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy at the Royal United Services Institute. His research interests include nuclear and conventional deterrence, arms control, Euro-Atlantic security, NATO and Russian security policy, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the transatlantic security relationship.

Project Sponsor

This event is supported by the Russia Strategic Initiative, U.S. European Command. The views that will be expressed in this event will not necessarily represent the views of the US Department of Defense or the United States Government.