Russian Nuclear Weapons: Past, Present, and Future

of the state, and other factors. To the extent they are
not used for propaganda or disinformation purposes,
they may provide insights into disagreements and
competitiveness within policymaking elites. Doctrines
usually comprise classified components and are accompanied
by declaratory and interpretive statements
that clarify or, for that matter, complicate the understanding
of their intent and purpose.
This chapter deals with the evolution of Russian
thinking and policy on nuclear-related issues. It also
seeks to understand motivations of the Russian leadership
in its continued reliance on nuclear weapons
and maintaining an adversarial posture towards
other nuclear powers, especially the United States.
Past and current doctrinal documents are studied to
provide the background of evolving nuclear weapons
programs, military-political relations with the United
States, perceived defense and security threats, and requirements.
2
Chronologically and substantively, the main emphasis
is on the independence period of Russia from
December 1991 to the present. However, a reference
to the Soviet period is appropriate. After all, most of
the strategic weapon systems Russia possesses today
were created during the Soviet period. Moreover,
while Russian leaders invariably underline substantive
differences between the Soviet regime and the
new socio-economic and political environment in
contemporary Russia, there are still many similarities
between current Russian and former Soviet thinking
and behavior. To a large extent, the RF finds itself in
a geopolitical situation resembling that of the Soviet
Union. Despite considerable changes in the structure
and composition of the bureaucracies responsible for
the development and implementation of Russian mili-
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