MOSCOW. Nov 19 (Interfax) - Russia pursues nuclear deterrence with respect to individual states or blocs viewing Russia as a potential adversary and possessing weapons of mass destruction or substantial conventional forces, according to the updated nuclear deterrence policy approved by President Vladimir Putin.
"Russia pursues nuclear deterrence with respect to a potential adversary, which is understood to mean individual states and military coalitions (blocs, alliances) viewing Russia as a potential adversary and possessing nuclear and (or) other types of weapons of mass destruction or substantial conventional combat capability," the document published on the official online database of legal information on Tuesday says.
Russia will also pursue nuclear deterrence "with respect to states making territory, airspace, or marine space and resources under their control available for preparing and carrying out aggression against Russia," it says.
"Nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that a potential adversary understands the unavoidability of retaliation in the event of aggression against Russia and (or) its allies," it says.
Among the principles of Russia's nuclear deterrence, the policy lists its adaptability to military dangers and threats and "a lack of certainty for a potential adversary regarding the scope, time, and location of the possible use of nuclear deterrence forces and resources," it says.