The procedure governing Russia’s use of nuclear weapons is set out in classified Russian Armed Forces combat regulations, military expert Andrey Kolesnik told Lenta.ru.

According to Kolesnik, the document determines how nuclear weapons may be employed. He said a strike would be carried out on the basis of military necessity against enemy positions or other targets capable of causing harm to the Russian Federation.

Kolesnik stressed that the use of nuclear weapons would not come without prior warnings. If events reached that point, he said, the adversary would already have been warned repeatedly about the possible consequences of further escalation.

As one potential scenario, Kolesnik cited aggression against the Kaliningrad Region. He said Russia could use nuclear weapons in such circumstances.

At the same time, Kolesnik said Kaliningrad is capable of defending itself with its own forces, but would receive the full weight of Russian support if necessary.