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.