Russia's new military doctrine

en.rian.ru...

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has approved the country's new military doctrine which includes the option of using nuclear strikes against potential aggressors.

According to Russian officials, the adjustment of the country's military doctrine was prompted by real threats and challenges facing Russia.

The following are important points from the document posted on the Kremlin's website:

* The existing architecture of global security, including its mechanisms based on international law, does not ensure the equal security of all nations

* Russia is facing an increased military threat from several directions

Some of the main external threats:

* Attempts to expand NATO military infrastructure closer to Russian borders

* Deployment (or expansion) of foreign military contingents on territories neighboring Russia or its allies

* Development and deployment of missile defense systems which undermine global stability and disrupt the strategic balance of power, militarization of space and deployment of non-nuclear precision strategic weapons

* Territorial claims against Russia and its allies

* The use of military force on territories neighboring Russia in violation of the UN Charter and other norms of international law

* The spread of global terrorism

Russia's military policy

* The main goal of the Russian Federation is to prevent a nuclear conflict as well as any other military conflict

* Russia retains the right to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack against it or its allies with nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, or in response to an aggression with the use of conventional weapons

* Russia may use precision weapons systems for deterrence

* Russia may send troops abroad to protect its national interests or its citizens in line with norms of international law, international agreements and federal legislation

* The main tasks of the Russian Armed Forces during a time of war are to repel any aggression against Russia and its allies, to defeat the aggressor and to force it to stop military actions on conditions that meet the interests of the Russian Federation and its allies


[edit on 5-2-2010 by CTPAX]

So what exactly are your thoughts on this? It all sounds pretty logical to me. I think Russia is feeling ganged-up on and they're just making it clear that they won't be pushed around. To me, that's a natural response. Especially with NATO and our missile defense shiled directed towards them.

I don't get the idea that they are threatening any preemptive strikes. They're merely just drawing the line in the sand.

reply to post by killuminati2012


Missle Defense what a joke, what the hell is a missle dfense going to do against bombers, and nuke subs....

This is the Russians flexing some Muscles in an attempt to regain some former glory.

Nukes = Scary!

Russia just said that she will be using "nuclear strikes against potential
aggressors"
"to force it to stop military actions on conditions that meet the interests of the Russian Federation and its allies"

now that is scary!

Poor Georgia... I just see President Saakashvili eating something bigger than a tie...


to MOD's maybe this thread should be moved... it is not really a "Political News" is it?

[edit on 5-2-2010 by CTPAX]

Russia is an ancient country that has exhaled and inhaled eras many times over.

They know what's best for them. And this policy is best for any country that is smart enough to think about the future.

Medvedev is a level headed modern man, Putin is a hawk but a very gentle hawk at that.

We should thank God Russia has a conscience and a sobering sense of neighborhood.

If you note the de facto military doctrine of the US, it has pretty much the same points as those in Russia's new policy. They may not be explicitly spelled out the same way, but in practice they are no different. This especially concerns using preemptive force when deemed necessary for security. So what Russia did is adjust its military policy to match that of US. This change is in fact not surprising, in light of the current effort to restructure Russia's armed forces.

Here's more interesting stuff.

news.kremlin.ru...

12. Характерные черты современных военных конфликтов:
(Characteristic features of modern military conflicts)
а) .... (doesnt matter)
б) массированное применение систем вооружения и военной техники, основанных на новых физических принципах и сопоставимых по эффективности с ядерным оружием;

Mass usage of weapon systems and defense technology based on new physical principles and comparable by its effectiveness with nuclear weapons.