Russia new doctrine calls US, NATO main threats to national security

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Jul 2022 15:20
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The new Russian naval doctrine signed on Sunday by Russian President Vladimir Putin says the US seeking global maritime dominance and NATO expansion are the main threat to Russia's national maritime security.

Russia's Putin attends a parade marking Navy Day in St. Petersburg on July 31, 2022.

President Vladimir Putin signed on Sunday, the Russian Navy Day, a new 55-page Russian naval doctrine that revealed that the expansion of the NATO and the United States' quest to control the oceans are the biggest threats to Russia.

The document mentions that the "main challenges and threats" to national security and development were the US' "strategic objective to dominate the world's oceans" and NATO's military infrastructure moving closer to Russia's borders.

"Russia's independent internal and external policy faces counter-measures from the United States and its allies, who aim to preserve their dominance in the world, including its oceans," said the doctrine.

Putin signs executive orders approving the Naval Doctrine of Russia and the Russian Navy Regulations at the St. Petersburg State History Museum at the Peter and Paul Fortress on Russian Navy Day.

The doctrine also added that Moscow would work on strengthening its leading position in exploring the Arctic and its mineral resources and maintain strategic stability by enhancing the potential that its northern and Pacific fleets have.

It also included Russia's wish to develop a "safe and competitive" sea route from Europe to Asia via the country's Arctic coastline and ensure its functionality throughout the year. The route is known as the Northeast Passage.

"Today's Russia cannot exist without a strong fleet... and will defend its interests in the world's oceans firmly and with resolution," the doctrine added.

Earlier in the day, ahead of Putin's signing of the naval doctrine, a drone attack targeted the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea fleet, located in the port of Sevastopol, Crimea, wounding five individuals.

The city's mayor highlighted that all festivities in Sevastopol have been canceled following the wounding of five people, including employees and military staff.

The casualties later rose to six personnel.