Ukraine: Missile Deactivation and Warhead Withdrawal

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Ukraine: Missile Deactivation and Warhead Withdrawal

This is an archived page. Please visit the new Ukraine country profile

Ukraine: Missile Deactivation and Warhead Withdrawal

For START I MOU information on missiles at ICBM bases in Ukraine please see the ICBM Bases and Deployed Launchers table.

6/5/98: LAST MISSILE REMOVED FROM KHMELNYTSKYY: In agreement with the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, the last remaining SS-19 missile was removed from a silo near Khmelnytskyy on 5 June 1998.; [UNIAN, 5 June 1998; in "Last Live Missile Removed From Launch Silo in Khmelnytskyy," FBIS-UMA-98-156.] {Entered 12/3/98 SK}

9/22/97: DRAFT AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR OFFSET OF WARHEAD DEBT: Russia and Ukraine have created a draft agreement to offset debts owed to each other. Russia intends to cancel $450 million owed by Ukraine for the purchase of oil ($119 million), technical resources ($131 million), and debt on state loans ($200 million).[1] Ukraine plans to forgive $450 million owed by Russia for fissionable material extracted from tactical nuclear warheads, which were sent to Russia in 1991-1992.[1, 2, 3]; Sources:; [1] "Draft Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine on the Reciprocal Offsetting of Debts for Energy Sources and Fissionable Materials," Rossiyskaya gazeta, 11 October 1997, p. 6; in "Russian-Ukrainian Energy Debt Offsetting Draft Agreement," FBIS-SOV-97-288.; [2] Interfax, 27 September 1997; in "Moscow, Kiev To Agree Nuclear, Oil Debt Write Off Plan," FBIS-SOV-97-270.; [3] UNIAN, 1 October 1997; in "Ukraine, Russia To Write Off $450 Million of Mutual Debt," FBIS-SOV-97-274.{Entered 2/18/98 SP}
6/3/96: KUCHMA: UKRAINE WILL CONTINUE TO FULFILL TRILATERAL STATEMENT: With all nuclear warheads withdrawn to Russia, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma stressed Ukraine's commitment not to deploy, produce, or receive nuclear weapons. He also expressed his hope that aid to Ukraine would continue now that all the provisions of the Trilateral Statement have been fulfilled.; [Ustina Markus, "Last Nuclear Warheads Removed From Ukraine," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 6/3/96.]
6/1/96: WITHDRAWAL OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS FROM UKRAINE TO RUSSIA COMPLETED.: ["Ukraina Stal Gosudarstvom Bez Yadernogo Oruzhiya," IZVESTIYA, by Viktor Litovkin, 6/4/96, p. 2; UT-1 TELEVISION NETWORK, 6/1/96 in "Ukraine: Kuchma Statement On Removal Of Nuclear Weapons," FBIS-SOV-96-108.]
5/14/96: RUSSIA ALLOCATED 17.7 BILLION RUBLES FOR DISMANTLING 10 SS-19: The Russian Government authorized Defense Minister Pavel Grachev to sign an agreement and obtain from the Ukrainian government 10 RS-18 (SS-19) strategic missiles for use in Russia, two RS-18 warheads for combat training launches, and 20 special transports which are being stored in Ukrainian arsenals. Russia has allocated 17.7 billion rubles for this purpose. A decree has been issued which specifies a monthly schedule for financing the work from January through December 1996. Reportedly, virtually all this money will be spent on dismantling the Ukrainian SS-19s near the city of Khmelnytskyi. The money will enable Russian missile technology specialists to go to Ukraine and provide the necessary technical resources and equipment. Several dozen of the "dry" missiles without fuel and warheads are stored near Khmelnytskyi, a number of them have reached or are reaching the end of their safe operational life.; [Victor Litovkin, "Russia Has Allocated 17.5 Billion Rubles for Dismantling Ukrainian Missiles," FINANSOVYE IZVESTIA, 5/14/96, in FBIS-TAC-96-006, "Central Eurasia: Russia," 5/14/96.]
4/19-20/96: YELTSIN URGES NUCLEAR STATES TO BASE NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THEIR OWN TERRITORY: At the nuclear safety summit in Moscow, President Boris Yeltsin pledged that all nuclear warheads in Ukraine and Belarus would be removed to Russia by 12/96. He urged other nuclear states to follow Russia's lead and base nuclear weapons only on their own territory.; [Scott Parrish, "Yeltsin To Request Relocation Of Western Nukes," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 4/11/96.]
4/6/96: NUCLEAR WARHEADS REMAIN ON ONLY 10 ICBMs IN WESTERN UKRAINE.: Contradicting other sources, Verkhovna Rada Deputy Boris Kozhyn reported that nuclear warheads remain on only 10 ICBMs in Western Ukraine.; [Boris Kozhyn, "Ukraine's Disarmament Is Reinforcement For Russia's Military Potential," HALYCHYNA, 4/6/96, p. 3, in FBIS-SOV-96-072, "Ukraine: National Affairs," 4/6/96.]
4/5/96: ALL UKRAINIAN WARHEADS WILL BE DEACTIVATED BY JULY: There are 300 warheads left on Ukrainian territory. All of them have been deactivated and will be withdrawn by 6/96.; [CISNP Discussions With US Government Official, 4/5/96.]
3/20/96: UKRAINE UNABLE TO WITHDRAW NUCLEAR WARHEADS ON ITS TERRITORY BY JULY DUE TO TECHNICAL LIMITATIONS: According to Volodymyr Horbulin, the secretary of Ukraine's National Security Council, Ukraine will not be able to withdraw all of the nuclear warheads on its territory by 6/96 due to technical limitations.; [INTERFAX, 3/20/96.]
3/1/96: UDOVENKO’S REPORT: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hennadiy Udovenko reported that all nuclear warheads in Ukraine will be withdrawn to Russia by the end of 1996.; ["Ukraina Rozproshaetsya Zi Stratehichnoyu Zbroeyu Tsoho Roku," HOLOS UKRAINY, 3/1/96, p. 1.]
2/26/96: KUCHMA ASKS FOR COMPENSATION FOR PLUTONIUM CONTAINED IN NUCLEAR WARHEADS WITHDRAWN FROM UKRAINE: Ukrainian President Kuchma has asked for compensation for plutonium and other valuable metals contained in the tactical nuclear warheads withdrawn from Ukraine to Russia in 1992 (see 11/18/93 entry below.) Kuchma reported that he raised this subject with Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1/96. Experts value the material at $500-700 million.; [Ustina Markus, "Kuchma On Compensation For Tactical Nukes," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 2/26/96.]
2/21/96: UKRAINE WILL BECOME A NON-NUCLEAR STATE ACCORDING TO SIGNED SCHEDULE: During a visit to Washington, at a news conference at the Pentagon, President Leonid Kuchma told US Secretary of Defense William Perry that Ukraine will become a non-nuclear state according to the signed schedule. According to HOLOS UKRAINY, Perry expressed US expectations that Ukraine would withdraw all warheads by the end of the summer.; [Natalya Filipchuk, "Zustrilysya Neofitsiyno, Po-Dilovomu," HOLOS UKRAINY, 2/24/96, p. 4.;"Kuchma Completes Whirlwind Working Visit," Khristina Lew, THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, 2/25/96, pp. 1-16; "Ukraine To Become Non-Nuclear," REUTERS, 2/21/96]
2/18/96: UKRAINE ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES OF WITHHOLDING FUNDS: According to the WASHINGTON TIMES, Ukraine accused the United States of failing to help it fund the dismantlement of its nuclear arms.; ["Ukraine Disappointed By US Assistance," WASHINGTON TIMES, 2/18/96, p. A7.]
2/13/96: KUCHMA WANTS TO DISCUSS COMPENSATION FOR TACTICAL WEAPONS: President Leonid Kuchma told US Ambassador Willian Miller that he plans to raise the question of compensation from Moscow for tactical missiles withdrawn from Ukraine to Russia in 1992-93. He later brought up this issue with US President Bill Clinton, who promised to discuss the issue with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. According to an INTERFAX report, the sum involved would be from $500-700 million.; ["Kuchma On Hopes For Compensation For Nuclear Weapons," INTERFAX, 2/23/96; UNIAN, 2/13/96; UNIAN, 2/24/96.]
1/14/96: DISMANTLEMENT IS ON SCHEDULE BUT MANY WARHEADS ARE STILL ON UKRAINIAN TERRITORY: The Commander-in-Chief of Russia's strategic missile forces said that all nuclear warheads will be withdrawn from Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan by 9/96. US Secretary of Defense William Perry stated that missile dismantlement was on schedule when he visited Ukraine in early 1/96. A Defense Department official who had travelled with Perry said that there are still more than 600 warheads on Ukrainian territory.; ["Russia Says Republics To Give Up Nukes," UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL, 1/14/96.]
1/13/96: RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN DEFENSE MINISTERS DO NOT COINCIDE IN THEIR CALCULATIONS: Defense Minister Valeriy Shmarov reportedly stated that 90% of all nuclear warheads in Ukraine had been liquidated by the end of 1995. In a contradicting report, Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev reportedly stated that 26% of Ukraine's nuclear warheads are still in the country. This report was supported by the Verkhovna Rada Council of Advisor's UPDATE ON UKRAINE. In another report, sources in Kyiv told INTERFAX that more than 300 strategic nuclear warheads were still stationed in Ukraine.; ["64 ICBM Silos Slated For Destruction," THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, 1/21/96, p. 2; See also Boris Klimenko, "US And Russian Defense Officials In Ukraine," UPDATE ON UKRAINE, Council of Advisors to the Presidium of the Parliament of Ukraine, 1/95; "Defense Ministers Witness Destruction Of Silo In Ukraine," THE UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, pp. 1, 13; INTERFAX, 1/14/96.]
1/10/96: TWENTY-SIX PERCENT OF UKRAINIAN WARHEADS WILL BE TRANSFERRED IN EXCHANGE FOR NUCLEAR FUEL: According to Defense Minister Valeriy Shmarov, Ukraine will transfer 26% of its nuclear warheads to Russia in 1996 in exchange for nuclear fuel.; [ITAR-TASS, "Ukraine To Exchange Warheads For Russian Nuclear Fuel," 1/10/96.]
1/10/96: UKRAINE SEEKS GREATER COMPENSATION: According to Valeriy Shmarov, Ukraine is seeking greater compensation for the tactical nuclear weapons exported to Russia in 1992 and 1993. Reportedly, Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev agreed to re-examine compensation for these weapons.; [Oleksandr Pukhov, "Special To Intelnews," INTELNEWS, 1/12/96; "Compensation For Nuclear Weapons To Be Re-Examined," POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR & DEFENSE MONITOR, 1/31/96, p. 9.]
1/5/96: DETAILS OF GRACHEV - SHMAROV AGREEMENT ARE NOT REPORTED: The Defense Ministers of Ukraine and Russia, Valeriy Shmarov and Pavel Grachev, came to an agreement on compensation for tactical weapons removed from Ukraine to Russia in 1992, although the details of the agreement were not reported. The Verkhovna Rada has been agitating for payment since 1992.; [Ustina Markus, "Ukraine Want Compensation For Tactical Nuclear Weapons," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 1/12/96.]
1/3/95: ONLY 26 PERCENT OF UKRAINE'S NUCLEAR WARHEADS REMAIN IN UKRAINE: Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev, at a meeting with the US Secretary of Defense and the Ukrainian Defense Minister, said that the removal of Ukraine's nuclear weapons was proceeding according to plan. Only 26% of Ukraine's original nuclear warheads remain on Ukrainian territory.; [Ustina Markus and Doug Clarke, "Perry, Grachev In Kyiv," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 1/5/95. See also "Grachev Warns On NATO Before US Talks," REUTERS, 1/4/95.]
12/95: OFFICIALS REPORT 1,410 WARHEADS ARE REMOVED FROM UKRAINE: Ukrainian officials reported that 1,410 warheads had been removed from Ukrainian territory to Russia. It was reported that warhead withdrawal would probably be completed by mid-1996.; ["Proliferation: Threat And Response," OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, 4/96.]
12/30/95: NUCLEAR WARHEADS WILL BE DISMANTLED AT RUSSIAN ENTERPRISES: According to a Ukrainian source, nuclear warheads have reportedly been taken to Russian enterprises for further dismantling. The US Department of Defense suggests that 420 missiles have been returned to Russia and more than 700 warheads have been removed from Ukrainian missiles.; [Petro Medvid and Volodymyr Chykalin, "The Days and Nights In Service," URYADOVY KURYER 12/30/95, p. 8, in FBIS-TAC-96-001, "Ukraine."]
11/24/95: RUSSIA PLANS TO PURCHASE UKRAINIAN CRUISE MISSILES: Ukraine plans to redeploy 32 of its SS-19 missiles, still based in silo launchers, to Russia at a residual cost. The report states that these are probably all the remaining SS-19s in Ukraine, which conflicts with information from early 1995 that put the number of SS-19s at 39. Russia will also purchase more than 300 strategic cruise missiles from Ukraine. Russia claims that these purchases will not interfere with any international agreements, as it is allowed 105 launching sites under START I. Colonel General Igor Sergeyev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian strategic forces, reported that the last nuclear warheads will be withdrawn from Ukrainian territory to Russia by the end of 1996 and that Russia will maintain its nuclear potential "at the necessary level" until 2009.; [YADERNIY KONTROL, "Rossiya-Ukraina," 1/96, p. 9; Also see INTERFAX, 12/27/95; INTERFAX, 12/24/95.; See also "Ukraina Sokrashchaet Vooruzhennye Sily I Prodaet Strategicheskiye Rakety," IZVESTIYA, 11/30/95, p. 8; "Russia Buys Nukes From Ukraine In Accord On Defense," THE WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/26/95, p. A7; Doug Clarke, "Russia To Buy Ukrainian Missiles, Bombers," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 11/27/95]
11/17/95: GENERAL ATOMICS WILL DISPOSE OF UKRAINE'S SS-24 SOLID ROCKET MOTORS: The Defense Nuclear Agency has awarded the US firm General Atomics a contract for the disposal of Ukraine's SS-24 solid rocket motors.; ["General Atomics To Dismantle Ukraine Rockets," POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR AND DEFENSE MONITOR, 11/17/95, pp. 14-15.]
11/1/95: UKRAINE HAS AT LEAST THREE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DESTRUCTION OF MISSILE SILOS: Colonel Oleksandr Serdyuk, the chief of the Center for Administrative Control of Strategic Nuclear Forces, reported that Ukraine has at least three technologies for the destruction of missile silos. He reported that the destruction of ICBM launch silos will take up to seven years, depending on the amount of assistance from the West.; [Serhiy Zhurets, "Topical Interview: Will Green Glades Appear On The Missile Silos?," NARODNAYA ARMIYA, 11/1/95, p.1, in "Ukraine: Strategic Weapons Chief On Disarmament," FBIS-UMA-96-016-S, 11/1/95.]
10/30/95: NINETY PERCENT OF UKRAINE'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS HAVE BEEN DEACTIVATED; OTHERS MAY WAIT DUE TO LACK OF MONEY: It was reported that Ukraine may suspend the withdrawal of nuclear warheads to Russia due to lack of money.[1] According to Colonel Oleksandr Serdyuk, the United States has come through with $100 million in promised funds, but countries such as Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France and Italy have not fulfilled their pledges. Ukraine has deactivated 80 of its 130 SS-19 missiles.[1] The SS-19 missiles have been partially neutralized and transferred to Dnipropetrivsk for complete neutralization.[1] Forty silos have been dismantled. All of the SS-24s were deactivated by 10/94, which means that 90% of Ukraine's nuclear weapons have been deactivated.[1] According to Serdyuk, Ukraine has approximately 10 operational ICBMs on its territory.[1] In addition, Colonel Serdyuk reported that certain "technical measures" had been taken to ensure that Russia would be unable to launch the operational ICBMs on its territory.[2]; [1] INTERFAX, 10/30/95; UPRESA WEEKLY REPORT, "Lack Of Money Suspends Nuclear Weapons Removal," 10/30-11/6/95, see also Ustina Markus, "Ukrainian Disarmament Update," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, no. 212, 10/31/95, The Washington Times, "Ukraine Still Has About 10 Armed ICBMs," 10/31/95, p. A14.; [2] REUTER, "Ukraine Disarms Nukes On Time, But Mostly a Problem."
10/27/95: REMOVING NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM UKRAINE WILL TAKE YEARS WITHOUT WESTERN AID: Volodymyr Mukhin, chair of the Rada Standing Commission of Defense and National Security, reportedly said that it will take years to remove the remaining nuclear weapons from Ukraine. Without Western aid, he said, nuclear disarmament in Ukraine will be suspended.; [UPRESA DAILY REPORT, "Nuclear Weapons Removal From Ukraine To Take Several Years," 10/27/95; "Parliament Opposes Spending On Nuclear Disarmament," INTERFAX, 11/2/95..]
9-10/95: MORE THAN 700 STRATEGIC WARHEADS ARE SHIPPED FROM UKRAINE TO RUSSIA: More than 700 strategic warheads have been shipped from Ukraine to Russia. The balance is scheduled to be removed by mid-1996. The first 60 ICBM warheads were shipped by train in 3/94, and one trainload per month has been the average since that time.; [Robert Norris and William Arkin, "Estimated Russian (C.I.S.) Stockpile, September 1995," BULLETIN OF ATOMIC SCIENTISTS, 9-10/95, pp. 61-63.]
5/26/95: RUSSIA MAINTAINS CONTROL OVER UKRAINIAN STRATEGIC MISSILES: According to Col. Gen. Viktor Yasin, Russia maintains control over 93 strategic missiles on Ukrainian territory. Yasin stated that the warheads on these ICBMs would be destroyed by June 1996.; ["Missile Troop Leader Details Status of Missiles in CIS," INTERFAX, 5/26/95; also see Doug Clarke, "Missile Chief Updates Weapons In Near Abroad," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 5/29/95.]
4/17/95: TWO MORE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR REGIMENTS WILL BE REMOVED FROM DUTY: By the end of 4/95, another two strategic nuclear regiments will be removed from duty, bringing the total to 60 (out of 176) missile launch sites--six regiments--dismantled. Three silos will be eliminated by explosives. Germany has pledged to provide Ukraine with DM1 million for the elimination of silos in populated areas.; [UNIAN (Kyiv), 4/17/95, in "To Disband 2 Nuclear Regiments By End of April," FBIS-SOV-95-074, 4/17/95; and Serhiy Zhurets, NARODNAYA ARMIYA (Kyiv), 4/19/95, in "Nuclear Disarmament Aid Compensation, Not Aid," JPRS-TAC-95-023, 4/19/95.]
4/8/95: DEBATES ON BLACK SEA FLEET INFLUENCE WITHDRAWAL OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM UKRAINE: Volodymyr Mukhin, chairman of the Supreme Rada's Defense and State Security Committee, stated that if Russia continues to act aggressively toward Ukraine and to threaten its national security, then Ukraine should consider suspending the withdrawal of nuclear warheads from Ukraine. This statement followed Russian-Ukrainian debate on the fate of the Black Sea Fleet and the status of Sevastopol.; [UNIAN (Kyiv), 4/8/95, in "Defense Official Warns of Halt to Nuclear Shipments," FBIS-SOV-95-068, 4/8/95.]
4/3/95: UKRAINE DISMANTLING ITS MISSILES: During a visit to Ukraine, Defense Secretary William Perry noted that Ukraine has removed all warheads from its 46 SS-24s and nearly half of its 130 SS-19s. The SS-19s are being dismantled at the Pervomaysk missile base.; [Ustina Markus, "US Defense Secretary in Ukraine," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, No. 66, Part I, 4/3/95.]
4/95: PENTAGON STATEMENT ON CIS STRATEGIC WARHEADS: The US Department of Defense stated that as of mid-March, 1,555 strategic warheads have been removed from missiles in the republics of the former Soviet Union, including 45 SS-25 ICBM warheads in Belarus, 240 SS-19 and 460 SS-24 ICBM warheads in Ukraine, and 440 SS-18 ICBM and 370 ALCM warheads in Kazakhstan. Of these, 1,097 have been withdrawn to Russia, including 45 from Belarus, 632 from Kazakhstan, and 420 from Ukraine.; ["Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine START 1 Cuts," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 4/95.]
3/23/95: US CONTRACTORS ARE READY TO LIQUIDATE UKRAINIAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS: Experts from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry met with representatives from US firms that are interested in bidding for the contract to be the main contractor for the liquidation of nuclear weapons stationed on Ukrainian territory as well as the construction of housing for rocket forces servicemen. The technical proposals from the American firms will be considered by the Defense Ministry.; [UNIAN (Kyiv), March 23, 1995, in "US Firms To Help Destroy Nuclear Weapons," FBIS-SOV-95-057, 3/23/95.]
3/16/95: UKRAINE WILL BE NUCLEAR-FREE BY 1996: President Kuchma stated that the dismantlement of warheads is proceeding ahead of schedule and by 1996 Ukraine will be completely nuclear-free.; [Kyiv Radio Ukraine World Service, March 16, 1995, in "Kuchma: Dismantling of Warheads 'Ahead of Schedule'," FBIS-SOV-95-052, 3/16/95.]
3/95: CIS REPUBLICS DEACTIVATE WEAPONS: According to Department of Defense Assistant Secretary for Atomic Energy Harold P. Smith, by 3/95 Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine have withdrawn a total of 1,000 warheads to Russia and that about 575 launchers and bombers had been eliminated throughout the entire former Soviet Union. Also, Smith stated that four regiments of SS-19 ICBMs have been deactivated in Ukraine.; ["Pentagon Defends Nunn-Lugar; Predicts $1 Billion Chem-Demil Program," POST-SOVIET NUCLEAR & DEFENSE MONITOR, 3/14/95, pp. 3-4.]
2/14/95: UKRAINE FULFILLING START I: Major General Anatoliy Palamarchuk stated at a Defense Ministry press briefing that Ukraine is fully abiding by the terms of the START I Treaty. It is getting rid of all the ICBMs on its territory and all warheads are being withdrawn to Russia.; [Kyiv Radio Ukraine World Service, 1/24/95, in "Defense Ministry: Kyiv Abiding By START Treaty Terms," JPRS-TAC-95-001, 2/14/95, p. 49.]
2/14/95: AMERICAN DELEGATION VISITS SHEVCHENKO: An American delegation lead by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense John Roberto visited Ukraine from 1/10-12/95. The purpose of the visit was to find ways to ensure that US dismantlement funds were being used in the most efficient manner. The group visited the construction site of a storage area for the components of liquid missile fuel in the town of Shevchenko, near Kharkiv.; ["The Funds Exist. How Are They Being Used?" NARODNA ARMIYA, 1/26/95, p. 1, in JPRS-TAC-950, 2/14/95, p. 43.]
12/94: UKRAINIAN ICBMs AND ALCMs TO BE REMOVED TO RUSSIA: Ukraine still possesses 940 ICBM warheads and 434 ALCM warheads but they are to be removed to Russia by the end of 1996.; [Dunbar Lockwood, "Ukraine Accedes (Finally) to NPT; Opens Way to START Reductions," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 12/94, p. 17.]
10/4/94: REPORT BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: A total of 360 nuclear warheads have been withdrawn from Ukraine to Russia for dismantlement, according to a report given to Congress by US Assistant Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.; ["Ukraine's NPT Accession Remains Unsettled Issue," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 11/94, p. 33.]
9/94: ONLY 90 SS-19 ARE LEFT AT KHMELNYTSKY BASE: According to an unclassified CIA report, 37 of the 46 SS-24 and 40 of the 130 SS-19 ICBMs in Ukraine have been deactivated by having their warheads removed. This leaves 90 SS-19s at the Khmelnytsky base. However, according to the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces, all SS-24s in Ukraine were deactivated as of 5/94. ++See entry for 5/3/94.+
8/94: THREE HUNDRED NUCLEAR WARHEADS ARE SHIPPED FROM UKRAINE TO RUSSIA: A total of 300 nuclear warheads have been shipped from Ukraine to Russia for dismantling, according to Lynn Davis, US Under Secretary for Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs. The warhead transfer is ahead of Trilateral Statement schedule, which established a goal of 200 warheads by 11/94.
7/19/94: UKRAINE WILL GET RID OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS FOR SUBSTANTIAL COMPENSATION: President-elect Leonid Kuchma stated that Ukraine intends to keep its commitment to send all of its nuclear warheads back to Russia for dismantlement in return for "substantial" compensation. He also commented that Ukraine should get rid of its nuclear warheads as soon as possible.
7/14/94: TRANSFER OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS STOPS UNTIL FINANCIAL AID RECEIVED: Defense Minister Vitaliy Radetskyi ordered that the transfer of strategic warheads to Russia be stopped since neither Russia nor the US had fulfilled their Trilateral Statement promises of financial and material assistance to Ukraine.
7/1/94: PARLIAMENT WILL NOT DEBATE ON TRANSFER OF NUCLEAR WARHEADS FROM UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Parliament, reversing a previous decision, decided not to debate suspending the transfer of nuclear warheads from Ukraine to Russia. Chairman of Parliament Oleksandr Moroz agreed with the decision not to debate the question since such a debate might alarm the world community.
6/29/94: REMOVAL OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS MIGHT BE STOPPED: The Parliament voted to debate suspending the transfer of nuclear warheads from Ukraine to Russia, which is currently being carried out under the auspices of the Trilateral Statement. Parliamentarian Oleh Vitovych and other members of the Ukrainian National Assembly-Ukrainian National Self-Defense organization proposed the debate. They contended that only Ukraine was carrying out its obligations under the Trilateral Statement and that Ukrainian national security was jeopardized. Admiral Boris Kozhyn, another Parliamentarian, stated, "We must be reliably defended and for this purpose we need nuclear weapons." Ukrainian Colonel General Kostyantyn Morozov wrote that due to the unstable Crimean situation, Ukraine should halt warhead transfer in order to bargain for greater security guarantees. A Ukrainian diplomat from the MFA responded that suspending the withdrawal of warheads would have negative consequences. He said Ukraine would have security guarantees under the Trilateral Statement, once it joined the NPT. The MFA was working on a multilateral document under which Ukraine would receive security guarantees from Russia, the United States and the United Kingdom, as stipulated by the Trilateral Statement.
6/29/94: TWO HUNDRED FORTY NUCLEAR WARHEADS WERE SHIPPED TO RUSSIA: It was reported that a total of 240 nuclear warheads have been shipped from Ukraine to Russia. Shipments began in 3/94 as a result of the Trilateral Statement signed in 1/94 by Presidents Kravchuk, Yeltsin, and Clinton.
5/16/94: ALL NUCLEAR WARHEADS WILL BE REMOVED FROM UKRAINE IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS: Ukrainian Defense Minister Vitaliy Radetskyi reported that all nuclear warheads will be removed from Ukraine within the next 3-4 years and that the withdrawal process is on schedule.
5/8/94: ONE THIRD OF UKRAINE'S SS-19s ARE DISMANTLED: UKRAINIAN WEEKLY reported that only one third of Ukraine's SS-19s had been dismantled to date. However, in 11/93, the NEW YORK TIMES reported that all SS-19s had been disassembled. ++See 11/30/93 entry.+
5/4/94: SIXTY NUCLEAR WARHEADS ARE REMOVED TO RUSSIA: 60 nuclear warheads were removed to Russia from Ukraine for dismantling. This was the third shipment, bringing the total number of strategic missile warheads removed from Ukraine to 180.
5/3/94: ALL 46 SS-24s ARE DEACTIVATED.: According to General Igor Sergeyev, head of Russia's Strategic Rocket Forces, all 46 of the SS-24 ICBMs located in Ukraine have been deactivated.
5/94: UKRAINIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY REPORTS ON SS-24s: Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials reported that nearly all of Ukraine's 46 SS-24 missiles have been taken off military alert. The nuclear warheads have been removed and flight patterns have been deprogrammed.
3/22/94: WARHEADS FROM SS-24s AND SS-19s REMOVED: Ukrainian servicemen told US Secretary of Defense William Perry that warheads have been removed from 30 SS-24 missiles and eleven SS-19 missiles.
3/14/94: SIXTY MORE WARHEADS REMOVED TO RUSSIA: 60 nuclear warheads were scheduled to have been delivered by train to Russia on 3/9/94. The delivery was delayed, however, after Ukraine accused the Russian media of breaching security by disclosing the time and place of departure. The 60 warheads eventually left for Russia on 3/14/94 under heavy security. The warheads came from the Khmelnytskyi missile base in the central part of Ukraine. This shipment, the second to take place under the Trilateral Statement, brought the total number of warheads removed from Ukraine to Russia to 120.
3/6/94: NUCLEAR WARHEADS TRANSFERRED TO RUSSIA: Approximately 60 nuclear warheads, which had been removed from SS-19 and SS-24 ICBMs, arrived in Russia by train. The warheads came from the ICBM base at Pervomaysk in Ukraine. The transfer was part of the implementation of the Trilateral Statement.
12/20/93: UKRAINE GOES FORWARD WITH DEACTIVATING SS-24s: Ukraine announced that it has taken 17 SS-24 missiles off alert, removed the warheads, and separated them from their missile launchers.[1] Ukraine has promised to deactivate 20 of 46 SS-24s by the end of 1993.[1] If certain conditions, such as economic compensation and security guarantees, are met by the US and Russia, Ukraine may deactivate all of its SS-24 missiles.[1] Deputy Prime Minister Valeriy Shmarov stated that, in principle, compensation for the tactical warheads transferred to Russia in 1992 and the strategic warheads still on Ukrainian territory has been agreed upon.[2] Uranium for Ukraine's nuclear power stations will be supplied by Russia for the next five years.[2] This agreement fulfills one of the thirteen conditions set for the ratification of the START I Treaty by the Ukrainian Parliament in November.[2]
11/30/93: ALL SS-19 ARE DEACTIVATED: The NEW YORK TIMES reported that all SS-19 ICBMs have been removed from their silos and disassembled.
11/9/93: TWENTY UKRAINIAN SS-19 WILL BE DISMANTLED: 20 of Ukraine's SS-19 missiles have been deactivated and will be dismantled in the near future, according to Kostyantyn Hryshchenko, Head for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Department for Control over Armament and Disarmament.
10/27/93: TWO NUCLEAR WARHEADS WILL BE DISMANTLED IMMEDIATELY: IZVESTIYA reported that two nuclear warheads were returned to Russia for immediate dismantlement. The warheads were in dire need of repair and may have been leaking radioactive tritium that is used to boost the explosiveness of the warhead.
7/93: UKRAINE BEGINS REMOVING SS-19s: Ukraine began removing a regiment of 10 SS-19 ICBMs from their silos at Pervomaysk. Defense Minister Gen. Morozov said that they would be deactivated by the end of September and that Ukraine would begin to remove a second regiment shortly thereafter. Ukraine and Russia have agreed to cooperate and use both Russian and Ukrainian scientists and engineers in the deactivation process. The SS-19 warheads will remain on Ukrainian territory, under Russian supervision and maintenance, until the Ukrainian Supreme Rada concludes its nuclear debate. The Rada wants to receive fair compensation for the weapons before they are transferred to Russia. The liquid fuel from the SS-19s will remain in Ukraine while the airframes are shipped to Piban'shur in Russia for dismantlement. Piban'shur was originally designated as an ICBM storage facility in the 9/90 START I Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Reportedly, the SS-19s are old and could leak toxic fuel if they are not dismantled in the near future. Because of this potential danger, the weapons have reportedly been deactivated without the Rada's approval, but it is unlikely that they will be removed from the silos prior to parliamentary approval, said General Morozov.; [Dunbar Lockwood, "Ukraine's Position Hardens Despite Some Positive Signs," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 9/93, pp. 25, 30.]

Last updated 18 August 1999

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This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.

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