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1 1 (November 26, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goverkr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Russia's Nuclear and Coercive Signaling During the War in Ukraine November 26, 2024 Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin has invoked-and the Russian military has demonstrated-Russia's strategic capabilities to discourage the U.S. and other NATO governments from intervening. On November 18, 2024, Putin codified changes to Russia's nuclear declaratory policy that broadened the range of nuclear employment scenarios. On November 21, in what Putin said was a response to Ukraine's strikes with U.S. and U.K. weapons on targets inside Russia, Russia demonstrated what Department of Defense (DOD) officials described as an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile by striking a defense plant in Ukraine. Over the past two years, the Biden Administration and Congress have imposed sanctions on Russia and supported Ukraine with military and other assistance. (See CRS In Focus IF12277, Russia War on Ukraine: US. Policy and the Role of Congress.) They also have debated the appropriate scope of U.S. aid to Ukraine and the credibility of Putin's threats. Some Members of Congress have argued the Biden Administration's gradual approach to transferring aid to Ukraine has been too receptive to Russian nuclear threats and potentially too risk averse. Others have contended that U.S. aid to Ukraine is drawing resources away from other priorities and should slow or cease. Congress may consider monitoring Putin's rhetoric and Russian military activities or other threats to the U.S. homeland as well as to facilities and personnel abroad. It may consider consulting with the executive branch and the intelligence community on signals of further Russian escalation, and exploring potential U.S. responses in briefings or hearings. It may also consider continuing to provide oversight ofU.S. executive branch policy on the war in Ukraine and of U.S. assistance to regional allies and partners. Russian Nuclear and Coercive Signaling To Date Since February 2022, President Putin has invoked Russia's strategic capabilities, including its nuclear weapons, in an apparent attempt to deter Western military intervention against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. The Russian military has demonstrated and exercised its nuclear and nuclear-capable systems and engaged in military activities close to U.S. and NATO allies' borders. Putin also declared that Russia has stationed nuclear weapons in Belarus and suspended its implementation of the U.S.-Russian New START arms control agreement, among other signals to the West. Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN12464 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress