Russia may use nuclear arms

Russia armed forces Chief says Moscow may use nuclear arms to protect Russia and its allies. His comments don't signal a change in defense policy but, do underline a renewed military confidence.

Georgia's possible entry into NATO will seriously change the regional geo-strategic situation. Putin and other Russian officials have stressed the need to maintain a powerful nuclear deterrent.

General Yuri Baluyevsky's statement comes as the Russian Navy has gathered part of its fleet in the Mediterranean for a large scale naval exercise - the first of its kind in 16 years.

Chief of General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky said, "We do not intend to attack anyone, but we consider it necessary for all our partners in the world to clearly understand, and for no-one to have doubts that to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, military force will be used, including the use of nuclear weapons in cases specified in the doctrine documents of the Russian Federation."

The national military doctrine, approved by President Vladimir Putin in 2000, says Russia may use nuclear weapons to counter a nuclear attack on Russia or an ally, or a large-scale conventional attack that poses a critical risk to Russia's security.

Baluyevsky's speech also comes a day after Georgia announced that 77 percent of its population have voted to join NATO.

Georgia's possible entry into NATO will seriously change the regional geo-strategic situation. Putin and other Russian officials have stressed the need to maintain a powerful nuclear deterrent.