Russia's new military doctrine allows preventive nuclear strike
Moscow | Friday, Nov 20 2009 IST
 

Russia today said it views its nuclear arsenal as deterrence, but may deliver a preventive strike in a critical situation in line with its 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,'' Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said in an interview to the government-controlled Rossiyskaya Gazeta published today.

However, Mr Patrushev said Russia was 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,'' he stressed.

''Such an understanding is based on the ability of nuclear forces to inflict unacceptable damage to the aggressor in any situation,'' he added.

He pointed out Russia had always been a reliable partner in disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation. ''We confirm that we are ready to develop 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,'' he noted.

Mr Patrushev also 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, for example, the exercises of US strategic forces to train control of the use of nuclear arms that resumed after a nine-year break. Other destabilising factors include proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological technologies, production of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism, he added. Mr Patrushev said conflict potential was growing in border areas, including in the Arctic region, due to the struggle for energy and other natural resources. Besides, territorial claims to Russia intensified from such states, as Japan. The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts in West Asia, in some African and southern Asian countries, on the Korean Peninsula would negatively affect the international situation in the mid-term, he also said. Domestic military threats also exist and mostly come from North Caucasus, he added.

-- (UNI) -- 20DF2.xml

 

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