Sergei Ivanov checked readiness for destruction of chemical weapons
Rossiyskaya Gazeta
May 4, 2007
(For personal use only)

SERGEI IVANOV VISITED THE PLANT FOR LIQUIDATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS IN BRYANSK REGION; The Bryansk Region is one of the six Russian regions where poisonous combat substances have been deposited for years. In 1997, Russia undertook a gradual liquidation of its stockpile of poisonous combat substances. Yesterday, Senior Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov checked the progress of these obligations.

The Bryansk Region is one of the six Russian regions where poisonous combat substances have been deposited for years.

A secret garrison near Pochep has been mentioned as Object 1204 even in staff documents until recently. In the depots camouflaged in the forest, the military stored more than 67,000 air bombs filled with toxic gases. This arsenal contains more than 250 tons of sarin, 2,445 tons of soman and almost 5,000 tons of VX gases, making it sufficient to destroy the population of a large country.

In 1997, Russia undertook the gradual liquidation of its stockpile of combat poisonous substances. Yesterday, Senior Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov checked the progress of these obligations.

In the overall plan of poisonous combat substances liquidation in Russia, object 1204 is designated at the final stage. For the liquidation of chemical weapons it is necessary to build a plant near every special garrison, as well as driveways for the delivery of chemical ammunition and other necessary infrastructure. Victor Kholstov, Deputy Director of the Federal Industrial Agency, reports that three of the obligatory seven objects for liquidation of poisonous substances have already started working. These are plants in Mardykovsky in the Kirov Region, Kambarka in Udmurtia and Gorny near Saratov.

Kholstov promises:

- In 2009, we will put into operation three additional plants in Leonidovka of the Penza Region, in Shchuchye near Kurgan and in Pochep near Bryansk.

By the end of April, Russia accomplished the second phase of liquidation its chemical weapons. In aggregate, it destroyed 8,000 tons of combat poisonous substances. Russia plans to accomplish the liquidation of chemical weapons by 2012. The new plant in the Bryansk Region will participate in the destruction of the last Russian chemical bombs and projectiles. Investments in its construction will exceed 12 billion rubles.

Yesterday, Ivanov explained:

- After putting this object into operation, more than 7,500 tons of poisonous substances will be liquidated here.

Ivanov emphasized that construction of the plant would not impact the safety of local residents, military and personnel of the object. Moreover, according to him, the plant will even help the region to solve some pressing social problems.