Russia Begins Second Phase of Chemical Weapons Destruction at Kambarka Facility

Russia yesterday initiated the second phase of chemical weapons disposal at its Kambarka facility, ITAR-Tass reported yesterday (see GSN, March 2).

The first phase began on March 1 and has disposed of 28 tons of lewisite, according to facility information center chief Gennady Knyazev. The start of the second phase puts the process on an industrial footing in which 360 kilograms of chemical agent is to be eliminated each hour, ITAR-Tass reported. The facility is scheduled to dispose of as much as 2,500 tons of the lewisite annually.

Kambarka is one of seven chemical weapons arsenals in the country. Germany, a primary investor in the destruction facility, donated more than $190 million for the project (ITAR-Tass, March 21).

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