MOSCOW, November 20 (Itar-Tass) -- Russia views its nuclear arsenal as
deterrence, but may deliver a preventive strike in a critical situation,
according to the draft of a new national military doctrine.
“The possibility of using nuclear weapons depends on the situation and
intentions of the potential adversary. In critical situations for the national
security a nuclear strike at the aggressor, including preventive strike, is not
ruled out,’ Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said in an interview
published by Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Friday.
At the same time he stressed Russia is categorically against resolving any
conflicts by military way, to say nothing about the use of nuclear weapons.
He said Russia views its nuclear arsenal as deterrence from aggression, first
and foremost, from nuclear powers. “A potential adversary shall comprehend the
futility of unleashing aggression with the use of nuclear and conventional means
of destruction. Inevitability of retaliation is a sobering factor for any
potential aggressor. Such an understanding is based on the ability of nuclear
forces to inflict unacceptable damage to the aggressor in any situation,”
Patrushev said.
He recalled that Russia had always been a reliable partner in disarmament and
nuclear non-proliferation. “We confirm that we are ready to progress and promote
the nuclear-free world idea. However it is necessary that not only Russia and
the United States reject the nuclear weapons, but other member-countries of the
‘nuclear club’ that currently occupy a wait-and-see attitude follow their suit.”
Patrushev said military threats to Russia continue to exist.
“The results of the analysis of military-strategic situation in the world and
prospects of its development up to 2020 demonstrate that potential military
threats to our country have not been dropped,” he said.
Among the threats he listed NATO expansion to Russian borders and mounted
military activities of the alliance. He cited as an example the exercises of US
strategic forces to train control of the use of nuclear arms that resumed after
a nine-year break.
Other destabilizing factors include proliferation of nuclear, chemical and
biological technologies, production of weapons of mass destruction and
international terrorism.
Patrushev said conflict potential is growing in border areas, including in
the Arctic region, due to the struggle for energy and other natural resources.
Besides, territorial claims to Russia intensify from such states, as Japan.
The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts in the Middle and Near East,
in some African and southern Asian countries, on the Korean Peninsula will
negatively affect the international situation in the mid-term, Patrushev
predicted.
Domestic military threats also exists and mostly come from North Caucasus, he
said.
The ongoing military conflict in Afghanistan affects Russian national
security, as it triggers illegal migration in close proximity to Russian borders
and results in threatening production and spread of illegal drugs.
Last year “senseless policy and unmeasured ambitions of Saakashvili unleashed
hostilities in South Ossetia that directly affected the life and security of our
citizens,” Patrushev said.
It will be the third variant of the military doctrine in the history of
modern Russia. The 1993 document excluded military conflicts. The 2000 variant
said the doctrine was defensive.
“Life is changing. Developments in the world showed that conflicts, even
large-scale, are possible,” Patrushev said.
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