Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing Moscow to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states if they receive support from nuclear powers.

According to a media report the announcement, made on Tuesday, coincided with the 1,000th day of Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov clarified that the new policy treats aggression from a non-nuclear state supported by a nuclear power as a joint attack.

This follows the US’s decision to allow Kyiv to deploy long-range missiles targeting military sites within Russia.

Russia considers nuclear weapons a means of deterrence and could launch a nuclear response in the event of a massive airstrike.