POLL: Are you worried Putin could launch a nuclear attack on the UK? Vote here

By Alice Scarsi, Deputy World News Editor

Vladimir Putin recently announced changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine (Image: GETTY)

Vladimir Putin sent shockwaves through the world this week as he announced changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine.

The new conditions under which the Kremlin would consider using its nuclear arsenal, first proposed in September and approved on November 19, hugely expand the number of countries and coalitions, as well as the type of military threats, subject to a possible nuclear response from Russia.

Since the beginning of the unlawful Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has issued multiple nuclear threats.

Despite lowering the nuclear threshold, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently said the Kremlin "strongly are in favour of doing everything to not allow nuclear war to happen".

The change to the Russian nuclear doctrine came as it emerged US President Joe Biden gave the green light to Ukraine to fire ATACMS missiles into Russia.

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The US-made weapon was fired across the border by Ukraine for the first time on Tuesday, the 1,000th day of the war.

Russia reacted with fury to the news, saying it marked a "new phase of the Western war" against Moscow and that it would react "accordingly".

Mr Biden's move prompted speculation the UK would also allow Ukraine to fire British-made Storm Shadow missiles on target into Russia.

While Sir Keir Starmer avoided confirming whether London would follow in Washington's footsteps, he said at the G20 summit on Monday that the UK recognised it needed to "double down" on its support for Ukraine.

On Wednesday, reports emerged claiming Ukraine launched several Storm Shadow missiles at targets in the Russian region of Kursk, partially occupied by Kyiv forces.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the missiles were used to destroy a Russian command post in the area.

This came following claims Washington gave the green light for Ukraine to launch British Storm Shadow missiles into Russian territory, with Ukrainian media citing The Times reporting a Foreign Office source alleging the turning point was the arrival of North Korean troops in Russia.

In light of the use of Western-made long-range missiles into Russia and the new nuclear doctrine approved by the Kremlin, Express.co.uk is now asking its readers whether they fear Putin could launch a nuclear attack on the UK?