Russia may carry out a preemptive nuclear strike in a situation critical to its national security, according to a revamped version of Russia’s military doctrine that will be published by the end of the year.

In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta on November 20, Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said that the doctrine will now provide for a possible preemptive nuclear strike depending on situational considerations and the intentions of a potential adversary.