START I Weapons on Territory
ICBM Designations/Number of Warheads
ICBM Bases and Deployed Launchers
START-Accountable Launchers & Warheads
ACLM Designations/Number of Warheads
Heavy Bomber Bases
Total Deployed Bombers & Warheads

All nuclear warheads were removed from Ukraine as of 6/1/96. ICBMs and silos are still being dismantled.
[Ustina Markus, "Last Nuclear Weapons Removed From Ukraine," OMRI Daily Digest, 6/3/96.]

START I MOU TABLES:  WEAPONS ON TERRITORY
[Unless otherwise cited, the information contained in this section is derived either from Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) exchanged by Ukraine and the US under the terms of the START I Treaty.  This information is exchange twice a year, on the first of January and the first of July.  The MOUs are made public four months after the exchange of information.]

ICBM DESIGNATIONS/NUMBER OF WARHEADS

UNITED STATES DESIGNATION	USSR/RUSSIA	WARHEADS
SS-19 Stilletto  (silo-launched, liquid fueled)	RS-18	6
SS-24 Scalpel  (silo-launched, solid fueled)	RS-22	10

ICBM BASES AND DEPLOYED LAUNCHERS
Pervomaysk

9/90 MOU	40 SS-19  46 SS-24
12/94 MOU	40 SS-19 46 SS-24
1/1/96 MOU*	38 SS-19 46 SS-24
7/1/96  MOU	SS-19: 37 launchers, 0 ICBMs  SS-24: 46 launchers, 46 ICBMs
1/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 19 launchers, 0 ICBMs   SS-24: 46 launchers, 46 ICBMs
7/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 19 launchers, 0 ICBMs   SS-24: 46 launchers, 46 ICBMs
1/1/98  MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs   SS-24: 46 launchers, 46 ICBMs
7/1/98 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs  SS-24: 46 launchers, 46 ICBMs
7/31/01 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs  SS-24: 13 launchers, 4 ICBMs
7/31/02 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs  SS-24: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs

Khmelnytskyy

9/90 MOU	90 SS-19  3 SS-11 **
12/94 MOU	90 SS-19
1/1/96 MOU*	90 SS-19
7/1/96  MOU	SS-19: 90 launchers, 50 ICBMs  3 SS-11 launchers**
1/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 50 launchers, 45 ICBMs
7/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 45 launchers, 27 ICBMs
1/1/98  MOU	SS-19: 20 launchers, 10 ICBMs
7/1/98 MOU	SS-19: 9 launchers, 9 ICBMs
7/31/01 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs
7/31/02 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs

*As of 6/1/96, all nuclear warheads were withdrawn to Russia for dismantlement in accordance with the Trilateral Statement. The heavy bombers have not been dismantled or transferred to Russia, and these bombers remain on the books until they are destroyed.  Their attributed warheads also remain start-accountable (at a level of approximately 352), even though no warheads are deployed.  The cruise missiles for the bombers apparently remain in Ukraine, albeit without warheads.

START-ACCOUNTABLE LAUNCHERS & WARHEADS

For START I purposes, a launcher is counted until the destruction of the silo is complete, even though the silo may be empty and the missile deactivated.

*As of 6/1/96, all nuclear warheads were transferred to Russia for dismantlement in accordance with the Trilateral Statement.

ALCM DESIGNATIONS/NUMBER OF WARHEADS

AS-15A ALCMs are launched from Bear H6 (up to 6 ALCMs) and are also launched from Bear H16 (up to 10 ALCMs). AS-15B ALCMs are launched from Tu-160 Blackjack heavy bombers (up to 12 ALCMs). 

HEAVY BOMBER BASES
Uzin

9/90 MOU	21 Bear H16 (Tu-95MS)  1 Bear A   1 Bear B
12/94 MOU	20 Bear H16  5 Bear H6  1 Bear A   1 Bear B
1/1/96 MOU*	20 Bear H16   4 Bear H6 1 Bear A
7/1/96  MOU	20 Bear H16  4 Bear H6   1 Bear A
1/1/97 MOU	20 Bear H16   4 Bear H6      1 Bear A
7/1/97 MOU	20 Bear H16   4 Bear H6   1 Bear A
1/1/98  MOU	20 Bear H16   4 Bear H6  1Bear A
7/1/98 MOU	20 Bear H16  4 Bear H6     1 Bear A
7/31/01 MOU	0 Bear H16  0 Bear H6     0 Bear A

Pryluky

9/90 MOU	13 Blackjack (Tu-160)
12/94 MOU	19 Blackjack
1/1/96 MOU	90 SS-19
7/1/96  MOU	SS-19: 90 launchers, 50 ICBMs  3 SS-11 launchers**
1/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 50 launchers, 45 ICBMs
7/1/97 MOU	SS-19: 45 launchers, 27 ICBMs
1/1/98  MOU	SS-19: 20 launchers, 10 ICBMs
7/1/98 MOU	SS-19: 9 launchers, 9 ICBMs
7/31/01 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs
7/31/02 MOU	SS-19: 0 launchers, 0 ICBMs

TOTAL DEPLOYED BOMBERS & WARHEADS

MOU	HEAVY BOMBERS	WARHEADS
9/90 MOU	36	368
12/94 MOU	46	354
1/1/96 MOU	44	352
6/1/96  MOU*	44	0
7/1/96 MOU*	44	0
1/1/98  MOU	44	0
7/1/98 MOU	44	0
7/31/01 MOU	44	0

  
*As of 6/1/96, all nuclear warheads were withdrawn to Russia for dismantlement in accordance with the Trilateral Statement. The heavy bombers have not been dismantled or transferred to Russia, and these bombers remain on the books until they are destroyed.  Their attributed warheads also remain start-accountable (at a level of approximately 352), even though no warheads are deployed.  The cruise missiles for the bombers apparently remain in Ukraine, albeit without warheads.

Archived Developments

For more information on strategic bombers transferred from Ukraine to Russia, see Russia:  Bombers/ALCM Force Developments.

10/14/2002: UKRAINE BEGINS TU-22, TU-22M BOMBER ELIMINATION
On 14 October 2002, Agentstvo voyennykh novostey reported that the Ukrainian Aviation Transport Company had begun work on eliminating Tu-22 [NATO name 'Blinder'] bombers, Tu-22M3 [NATO name 'Backfire'] bombers, and Kh-22 [NATO designation AS-4 'Kitchen'] cruise missiles under a contract issued by the US company Raytheon and funded by the US government. A total of 30 bombers and 230 missiles will be destroyed over a period of two and a half years. Bombers will be scrapped at Mykolayiv and Poltava air bases, their engines in Bila Tserkva and Khmelnytskyy, and the cruise missiles in Ozernyy (Zhytomyr Oblast). The first bomber will be eliminated on 12 November 2002.[1] The results will be verified by US inspectors.[2]
Sources:
[1] Agentstvo voyennykh novostey, 14 October 2002; in "Ukraine begins scrapping of TU-22 bombers, Kh-22 cruise missiles," FBIS Document CEP20021014000237.
[2] ITAR-TASS, 11 October 2002; in "Ukraine to begin destroying 30 Tu-22M strategic bombers in Nov," FBIS Document CEP20021011000412. {Entered 10/22/2002 MJ}

11/4/2001: US TO HELP UKRAINE ELIMINATE 47 TU-22 BOMBERS
UNIAN reported on 4 November 2001 that the director of the US SOAE program in Ukraine, John Connell, announced that the US government will help Ukraine eliminate 47 Tu-22 bombers. Since Ukraine has only about 20 Tu-22 bombers [NATO designation 'Blinder'], most of the aircraft in question are likely to be the more advanced Tu-22M [NATO designation 'Backfire'] bombers. The US government had previously signed an agreement to eliminate seven of the bombers, after which the government of Ukraine requested assistance in eliminating an additional 40 aircraft. While Connell said elimination activities can start as soon as the bombers are delivered to the elimination facilities, this process has been delayed by the need to obtain technical assistance from Russia, where Tu-22 and Tu-22M design and manufacturing facilities are located.
["SShA pomogut Ukraine likvidirovat 47 tyazhelykh bombardirovshchikov Tu-22," UNIAN, No. 044 (184), 29 October-4 November 2001.] {Entered 6/13/2002 MJ}

8/20-26/2001: NAFTOHAZ UKRAYINY REPAYMENT TO DEFENSE MINISTRY FOR BOMBERS TO FALL SHORT OF FULL AMOUNT THIS YEAR 
Naftohaz Ukrayiny Chairman and First Deputy Minister of Fuel and Energy Vadym Kopylov announced that this year Naftohaz will not be able to finish repaying the full amount it owes the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as part of a three-party deal involving the transfer of 11 heavy bombers to Russia.  The Ukrainian Defense Ministry transferred 11 bombers to Russia in exchange for forgiveness of $270 million of Naftohaz gas debt to Russia; in turn Naftohaz must pay the $270 million back to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.  Kopylov stated that Naftohaz had paid $45 million of the debt in 2000 and paid another $125 million on 1 July 2001.  The Defense Ministry has threatened to take the issue to an arbitration court to recover the remaining $100 million, but is also considering the alternative possibility of forgiving the remaining amount in exchange for a reduction in utility service debt owed Naftohaz.
["V tekushchem godu 'Neftegaz Ukrainy' ne pogasit svoy dolg pered Minoborony za bombardirovshchik," UNIAN, No. 34, 20-26 August 2001.] {Entered 10/15/2001 RG} 
 
5/17/2001: UKRAINE DISMANTLES LAST TU-95MS, FULFILLS HEAVY BOMBER DISMANTLEMENT OBLIGATIONS
On 17 May 2001, Ukraine's last Tu-95MS [NATO name 'Bear-H']  heavy bomber was dismantled during a ceremony at the Uzyn Air Base in Kiev Oblast.  The dismantlement was observed by officials from the US Defense Department.[1]  With this dismantlement, Ukraine has fulfilled its obligations under START I requiring the dismantlement of the strategic heavy bombers and their accompanying ALCMs that remained in Ukraine after the fall of the Soviet Union.  Ukraine was obligated to dismantle 44 (29 Tu-95MS and 15 Tu-160 [NATO name 'Blackjack']) heavy bombers and 1068 Kh-55 [NATO name AS-15 'Kent'] ALCMs.  Under an agreement with Russia, an additional five Russian TU-95MS bombers were dismantled in Ukraine.  A total of 38 heavy bombers and 483 ALCMs were dismantled or converted from a nuclear role at a cost of $13 million in funding from the United States.  Eleven heavy bombers (three Tu-95MSs and eight Tu-160s) and 581 Kh-55 ALCMs were transferred to Russia in exchange for $285 million in natural gas debt in 2000.[1,2]  Two bombers (one Tu-95MS and one Tu-160) were sent to a museum in Poltava, and two Tu-95 MS bombers were converted for environmental reconnaissance missions.[3]
Sources: 
[1] "Ukraina izbavilas ot sovetskogo naslediya," Kommersant, 18 May 2001, p. 11.
[2] "Ukraina polnostyu vypolnila svoi obyazatelstva po likvidatsii strategicheskikh aviatsionnykh kompleksov," UNIAN, No. 179, 17 May 2001.
[3] "V Ukraine likvidirovan posledniy strategicheskiy bombardirovshchik," Xinhua News Agency, 18 May 2001. {Entered 6/5/01 RG} 
 
2/5-11/2001: US TO FUND TU-22 AND TU-22M BOMBER ELIMINATION
According to a 5-11 February 2001 UNIAN report, the US Department of Defense and Ukraine's Ministry of Defense are in the final stages of negotiations concerning US assistance for the elimination of Ukrainian Tu-22 [NATO designation 'Blinder'] and Tu-22M [NATO designation 'Backfire'] heavy bombers. Ukraine currently possesses approximately 22 Tu-22 and 60 Tu-22M bombers, about 40 of which have exhausted their service lives and would be scrapped. The dismantlement will be carried out by the Raytheon Technical Services Company and will be funded through the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Tu-22 and Tu-22M eliminations are expected to begin following the dismantlement of the remaining Tu-95MS heavy bombers.
['Tu-22 Ukraine tozhe ne nuzhny. Kiev gotov unichtozhit bolshuyu chast svoikh tyazhelykh bombardirovshchikov," UNIAN, No. 006(146), 5-11 February 2001.] {Entered 5/10/2001 MJ} 
 
2/2/2001: UKRAINE DISMANTLES LAST TU-160
UNIAN reported on 2 February 2001 that the last Tu-160 [NATO name 'Blackjack'] heavy bomber in Ukraine was dismantled at Pryluky Air Base in accordance with START I requirements.  Present at the dismantlement were Ukrainian Air Force Commander Colonel-General Viktor Strelnykov and US Department of Defense representative Brigadier General (Ret.) Thomas Kuenning.[1]  The remaining four Tu-95MS [NATO name 'Bear H'] heavy bombers in Ukraine are due to be dismantled in May 2001.[2]
Sources:
[1] "Zhizn i smert strategicheskogo naslediya," UNIAN, No. 5, 29 January-4 February 2001.
[2] "Last Ukrainian Tu-160 destroyed," Jane's Defence Weekly, 14 February 2001, p. 5. {Entered 3/20/01 RG} 
 
12/18/2000:  UKRAINE TO DISMANTLE ALL OF ITS STRATEGIC BOMBERS BY MAY 2001
Interfax reported on 18 December 2000 that Ukraine plans to dismantle all of its remaining strategic bombers by May 2001.[1] During an inspection of elimination facilities completed in December 2000, US observers confirmed that two Tu-160s and two Tu-95MSs were destroyed at their respective bases in Pryluky and Uzyn.  US observers also confirmed that five Tu-95MS bombers were destroyed at Bila Tserkva.[2]  One Tu-160 had previously been reported dismantled at Pryluky in 1998.[1]  Two bombers (one Tu-95MS and one Tu-160) have been transferred to a museum and two Tu-95MSs have been refitted for environmental reconnaissance.[2]  The transfer of 11 bombers (eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95MSs) to Russia has allowed Ukrainian officials to accelerate the time schedule to dismantle the remaining bombers.  According to Ukraine's START Implementation Support Center Chief Volodymyr Shapovalov, the remaining Tu-160s will be destroyed by early March 2001 at Pryluky, and the remaining Tu-95MSs will be destroyed  at Uzyn by May 2001.[1]  US representatives expressed satisfaction that Ukraine is fulfilling its START commitment to eliminate all of its bombers by December 2001.  The United States is also expected to fund another project to decommission Ukrainian Tu-22 bombers in the near future.[1] 
Sources:  
[1] Interfax, No. 3, 18 December 2000. 
[2] Ukrinform, 15 December 2000; in "US verifiers satisfied with Ukraine destroying heavy bombers," FBIS Document CEP20001215000330. {Entered 1/9/01 RG} 
 
8/11/2000:  UKRAINE DENIES NEGOTIATING ADDITIONAL BOMBER TRANSFERS
On 11 August 2000 Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council representative Valeriy Ivashchenko denied media reports that talks took place between Ukraine and Russia on the transfer of additional strategic bombers in exchange for Russian gas debt relief.[1]  Ivashchenko asserted that the talks never took place, and said that Kiev has made a political decision to scrap the bombers.  The decision to dismantle the bombers may have been influenced by US reminders that aid for bomber dismantlement would be halted if the bombers were transferred.[2]  For more information on US foreign assistance to Ukraine, see the 8/7/2000 entry in the CTR Developments in Ukraine section.
Sources:  
[1] UNIAN, 11 August 2000; in "Security official denies Ukraine discussed transferring more bombers to Russia," FBIS Document CEP20000811000205. 
[2] Zerkalo nedeli, 12 August 2000; in "Ukraine:  Analysis of implications of possible transfer of bombers to Russia," FBIS Document CEP20000814000069. {Entered 1/8/01 RG} 
 
7/31/2000: TALKS ON TRANSFER OF ADDITIONAL BOMBERS TO RUSSIA PLANNED
On 31 July 2000 Interfax reported that the Russian Air Force will soon begin talks with the Ukrainian company Ukrspetseksport on transferring additional Tu-160 [NATO designation 'Blackjack'] and Tu-95MS [NATO designation 'Bear-H'] strategic bombers in return for canceling Ukraine's energy debts to Russia. The negotiations will concern three Tu-160 and seven Tu-95MS bombers which are believed to be in good repair. Ukraine also proposes transferring four disassembled Tu-95MS bombers and 80 cruise missiles.
["Rossiya mozhet priobresti u Ukrainy yeschche desyat strategicheskikh bombardirovshchikov i krylatyye rakety," Interfax, No.1, 31 July 2000.] {Entered 8/10/2000 MJ} 
 
5/25/2000: UKRAINE TO SCRAP RUSSIAN BOMBERS
The government of Ukraine has decided to scrap five Tu-95 strategic bombers belonging to the Russian Air Force.  The aircraft were sent to a repair facility in Bila Tserkva, Kiev Oblast, in 1992-1993 for maintenance. They were impounded by Ukrainian authorities after Russia failed to pay the $14 million repair bill.  The Russian Defense Ministry protested the decision, stating that the bombers are Russian property.  A senior Russian Defense Ministry official expressed hope that the matter would be resolved through negotiations.[1,2]
[Ivan Safronov, “Ukraine Intends to Destroy Russian Bombers,” Kommersant, 27 May 2000, p.2; in “Russia Objects to Ukraine Plan To Scrap Tu95s Over Debts,” FBIS Document CEP20000529000096.] {Entered 6/26/00 MJ} 
  
4/4/2000:  TWO BOMBERS TO BECOME  MUSEUM EXHIBITS, TWO OTHERS WILL BE USED AS "ENVIRONMENTAL RECONNAISSANCE" AIRCRAFT
At a press conference on 4 April 2000, Oleksandr Kuzmuk, Ukraine's Minister of Defense, stated that two strategic bombers would be sent to a Poltava aviation and space museum while two others would serve as so-called "environmental reconnaissance" aircraft.  Of the two bombers earmarked for the Poltava museum, one, a Tu-160 [NATO name 'Blackjack'], was formerly based at the Priluky Airbase in Poltava Oblast, and the other, a Tu-95MS [NATO name 'Bear'], was formerly based in at the Uzin airbase in Kyiv Oblast.   The two so-called "reconnaissance" aircraft come from the Uzin airbase and will be based in Nikolayev Oblast.  Kuzmuk also stated that by October 2001, the remaining 29 bombers located at the Uzin and Priluky airbases will be destroyed.
["Na Ukraine strategicheskiy bombardirovshchik Tu-160 peredan v muzey aviatsii," Interfax, 4 April 2000.] {Entered 5/2/2000 GD} 
 
2/21/2000:  FINAL STRATEGIC BOMBERS SENT TO RUSSIA
For more information, see the 2/21/00 entry in Russia: Nuclear Weapons: Bombers: Bombers/ALCM Force Developments. 
 
11/5/99: UKRAINE SENDS RUSSIA FIRST TWO STRATEGIC BOMBERS
On 5 November 1999, Russia received the first two Tu-160 [NATO name 'Blackjack'] strategic bombers from Ukraine. Ukraine plans to supply a total of eight Tu-160s and three Tu-95MSs [NATO name 'Bear'].[1,2]  In addition, 144 Kh-55 [NATO name AS-15 'Kent'] cruise missiles will be attached to the bombers: 12 to each Tu-160 and 16 to each Tu-95MS. Ukrainian and Russian Prime Ministers Valeriy Pustovoytenko and Vladimir Putin, respectively, signed their governments' corresponding decrees on the transfer of the strategic bombers on 2 November 1999. The transfer of the strategic bombers from Ukraine to Russia is part of a gas debt settlement.[3] While Ukraine had originally wanted $75 million for each bomber, the final agreement values each bomber at $25 million and the missiles at $10 million, for a total reduction of Ukraine's gas debt by $285 million.  The 11 Tu-160s and 18 Tu-95MSs remaining in Ukraine after the above sale will be destroyed in accordance with international agreements.[4]
Sources:
[1] Ilya Kedrov, "Raketonostsy menyayut khozyayev," Nezavisimaya gazeta, online edition, news.mosinfo.ru/news/ng/99/11/data/ng111013.htm, No. 210, 10 November 1999.
[2] "Novosti" newscast, Russian Public Television,  5 November 1999; in "500 Cruise Missiles Come With Ukrainian Planes," FBIS Document FTS19991105000302.
[3] Ivan Safronov, "No Way Do They Send Off Aircraft. Kiev Has Halted Handover of Bombers to Russia," Kommersant, 5 November 1999, p. 2; in "Ukrainian Bombers' Move to Russia Delayed," FBIS Document FTS19991105001019.
[4] Ilya Kedrov, "Ukraina otdayet dolgi bombardirovshchikami," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 22-28 October 1999, p. 1.{Entered 11/15/99 SK}  
 
8/26/99: AGREEMENT ON SALE OF 10 STRATEGIC BOMBERS COMPLETED
According to Anatoliy Kornukov, Russian Air Force Commander-In-Chief, who participated in the meeting of Ukrainian and Russian prime ministers Valeriy Pustovoytenko and Vladimir Putin in August 1999, an agreement on the transfer of 10 Ukrainian strategic bombers to Russia has been completed. Russian Prime Minister Putin, however, expressed doubts about whether or not Russia actually needs the bombers.
["V. Pustovoytenko i V. Putinu ne udalos dogovoritsya po probleme uregulirovaniya ukrainskoy zadolzhennosti za energonositeli," UNIAN, No. 34, 23 - 29 August 1999.] {Entered 9/10/99 SK} 
 
8/99: UKRAINE OFFERS RUSSIA 10 STRATEGIC BOMBERS TO CANCEL GAS DEBT
Ukraine has offered Russia eight Tu-160 and two Tu-95 strategic bombers to pay off part of the $1.8 billion the Ukrainian government owes Russia for natural gas. Russia would then convert them to conventional bombers.[1,2,4] According to Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Chaliy, neither transfer nor conversion of the bombers would violate the START Treaty.[2,3] The price for each bomber has yet to be negotiated, but according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk it could exceed $25 million. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense added that Ukraine intends to retain several bombers for intelligence and exposition purposes and for the so-called "Take-off" program.[1] The possible transfer was discussed by Russian Prime Minister Sergey Stepashin during his visit to Kiev in early August 1999.[4] A final decision could be reached during a visit by Ukrainian Prime Minister Valeriy Pustovoytenko to Moscow scheduled for the end of August 1999.[5]
Sources:
[1] "Za rossiyskiy gaz Ukraina namerena raschitatsya strategicheskimi bombardirovshchikami," UNIAN, 28 July 1999.
[2] "Bombardirovshchik - kak nerazmennyy rubl. oplatit vse raschety," UNIAN, 2 - 8 August 1999, No. 031.
[3] "V MID Ukrainy schitayut, chto peredacha Rossii bombardirovshchikov v schet dolga za gaz ne narushit dogovor SNV," Interfax, 3 August 1999, No. 4.
[4] Tatyana Ivzhenko, "Bombers As Tender: Ukraine Has Not Thus Far Managed To Compensate the Arrears For Russian Gas With Second-Hand Aircraft," Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 11 August 1999, p. 5; in "Exchange Of Bombers For Gas Debt Denied," FBIS Document FTS19990812000775.
[5] "Vozmozhnost pogasheniya ukrainskikh dolgov Rossii strategicheskimi bombardirovshchikami budet reshena k vizitu V. Pustovoytenko v Moskvu," UNIAN, 12 August 1999, No. 32.  {Entered 8/11/99 SK} 
 
4/29/99: RUSSIA OFFERS UKRAINE MILITARY TRANSPORT PLANES IN EXCHANGE FOR STRATEGIC BOMBERS
At a Russian Security Council meeting on 29 April 1999, Russia decided to offer to exchange 11 An-22 and An-24 military transport planes for eight Tu-160 and three TU-95 Ukrainian strategic bombers. The Russian Ministry of Defense is considering equipping the bombers with cruise missiles with conventional warheads.
[Ilya Bulavinov, Ivan Safronov, Komersant Daily, 30 April 1999, p. 1; in "Yeltsin Orders Repairs For the Nuclear Shield," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.] {Entered 8/11/99 SK}
 
4/10/99: UKRAINE HOPES TO SELL THREE TU-160S TO A US SATELLITE COMPANY
Ukraine hopes to sign a $20 million contract with a US satellite company, Platforms International Corporation, under which three Tu-160 strategic bombers and their spare parts would be sold to be converted into satellite launching platforms.[1] However, the START I Treaty, according to which all Ukrainian heavy bombers should be destroyed by 2001, reportedly does not allow such a conversion.[2] Russia objects to the intended sale on this basis.[1] According to the Head of the Department of Control over Armament and Disarmament of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Oleksiy Rybak, Ukraine will attempt to amend the Treaty to make the sale possible. If realized, the contract could initiate further cooperation between the US and Ukraine in the commercial space field.[3]
Sources:
[1] Ivan Safronov, "American Will Not Get the Ukrainian Blackjack," Kommersant online edition, 17 April 1999; in "Objection To Ukrainian Sale Of Tu-160s," FBIS Document FTS19990504001744.
[2] Den, 10 April 1999; in "Go-Ahead Given For Sale Of Three Tu-160 Strategic Bombers," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.
[3] UNIAN, 19 April 1999; in "Ukrainian Foreign Ministry To Insist On Treaty Changes To Sell Bombers," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe. {Entered 8/11/99 SK} 
  
11/16/98: UKRAINIAN BOMBERS ARE BEING DESTROYED
On 16 November 1998, at the Priluky air force base, Ukraine demolished the first of  44 Tu-95 and Tu-160 strategic bombers.[1]  The United States financed the destruction, which falls under the Nunn-Lugar program.[2]  The remaining 43 strategic bombers are planned to be demolished by 2001 at an estimated cost of $8 million to the United States.[1,3]  All the secret equipment has to be taken away from the bombers prior to the destruction process, which involves cutting the aircraft into four parts.  Ukraine plans to utilize the scrap metal for peaceful industrial purposes.[1]  More than a thousand cruise missiles that were specially designed for the heavy bombers will also be destroyed.[1,4]  Despite the fact that the destruction is being conducted under START I,[1,3] Dmytro Shkurko, head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense press service, noted that "...the destruction does not mean that Ukraine has begun planned destruction of the bombers-this was just a test of the technology...."[2]
Sources:
[1] Mikhail Melnik, ITAR-TASS, 16 November 1998; in "Ukraine Begins Scrapping Bombers Under Treaty With US," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.
[2] UNIAN, 20 November 1998; in "Tu-160 Strategic Bomber Destroyed Under Threat Reduction Programme With USA," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.
[3] Interfax, 17 November 1998; in "Strategic Bombers To Be Dismantled With US Funds Over Two Years," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.
[4] Agence France Presse, 13 November 1998; in "Ukraine Begins Bomber Dismantling," Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe.  {Entered 12/2/98 SK} 
 
7/98: DOD AMENDS CTR AGREEMENT WITH UKRAINE, FUNDS BOMBER DESTRUCTION
For more on this development, see the  7/98 entry under Ukraine: Foreign Assistance.
 
5/98: UKRAINE AND RUSSIA NEGOTIATE HEAVY BOMBER ISSUES
Please see the NIS Nuclear Profiles overview of the bomber decommissioning/transfer issue for information on Ukrainian-Russian negotiations on this topic as of May 1998.
 
4/29/98: US WILL ASSIST IN ELIMINATION OF 44 STRATEGIC BOMBERS
The United States and Ukraine initiated talks on a cooperative project to dismantle 25 Tu-95MS "Bear" and up to 19 Tu-160 "Blackjack" strategic bombers. The project will be carried out under the CTR program. According to Ukrainian Security and Defense Council Secretary Volodymyr Horbulin, 40 of the 44 bombers will be destroyed, two will be converted, and two will be turned over to a museum.
["USA Plans To Help Ukraine Eliminate Bombers," Jane's Defense Weekly, 29 April 1998, p. 6.] {Entered 8/10/99 SK} 
 
12/29/95: FORMER SOVIET BOMBERS WILL BE RETURNED TO RUSSIA
It was reported that 19 TU-160s and 24 TU-95 strategic bombers will be transferred from Ukraine to Russia in return for spare parts, technical documentation, and technical aviation services for Ukraine. Earlier reports cited 24 TU-160s and suggested that this barter deal was worth $1.5 billion. Russian Air Force representatives said the first of two stages in this transfer would include 10 TU-160 bombers from Priluky, 15 TU-95MCs, and 300 cruise missiles.
["Informatsiya," Yaderniy Kontrol, 1/96, p. 9. See also Bohdan Yaroshchinsky, "Hrabli, Yaki Hrebut Vid Cebe," Holos Ukrainy, 1/30/96, p. 12; "In Sochi Shmarov Gave Away The Kit Along With The Kaboodle," The Rukh Insider, The Institute Of Statehood and Democracy, 2/7/96; Oleksandr Pukhov, INTELNEWS, 12/30/95.] 
 
11/25/95: UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS AGREED TO SELL BOMBERS TO RUSSIA
In Sochi, Ukrainian officials agreed to sell 44 TU-160s and Tu-95s to Russia. In return, Ukraine reportedly will receive spare parts for equipment used in the Ukrainian armed forces. One source states that Ukraine will begin by handing over 25 bombers (type unspecified). UPRESA reported that Ukraine will hand over 23 TU-95s, which contradicts earlier reports of 25 TU-95s (see 9-10/95 entry in this section).
["Ukraina Sokrashchaet Vooruzhennye Sily I Prodaet Strategicheskiye Rakety Rossii," Izvestiya, 11/30/95, p. 8; "Russia Buys Nukes From Ukraine In Accord On Defense," The Washington Times, 11/26/95, p. A7; see also "Defense Ministry Satisfied Over Weapons Deal," UPRESA DAILY REPORT, 11/27/95.] 
 
9-10/95: RUSSIA NO LONGER INTERESTED IN UKRAINIAN BOMBERS
In 2/95, Russia reportedly agreed to pay Ukraine $190 million for 25 Tu-95M and 19 Tu-160. Now, the planes have deteriorated and have not flown for 5 years and Russia is no longer interested in purchasing them. In 4/95, a report said that only 4 of each type of heavy bomber was capable of flying.
["Rossiya-Ukraina," Yadernyy Kontrol, 1/96, p. 9; Robert Norris and William Arkin, "Estimated Russian (C.I.S.) Stockpile, September 1995," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 9-10/95; Doug Clarke, "Russia To Buy Ukrainian Missiles, Bombers," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, 11/27/95.] 
 
6/14/95: RUSSIA WILL NOT USE UKRAINIAN BOMBERS
According to Defense Minister Valeriy Shmarov, Russia has no plans to use the strategic bombers, since they are no longer a priority for the Russian military and there are no buyers for them.
[Interfax, 6/14/95, in "Shmarov: Russia Not To Use Ukraine's Long-Range Bombers," FBIS-SOV-95-115, 6/14/95.] 
 
6/7/95: FATE OF UKRAINIAN BOMBERS WILL DEPEND ON DIVISION OF BLACK SEA FLEET
An anonymous military source stated that Russia will not purchase the 44 former Soviet bombers and 600 ALCMs on Ukrainian territory until the problem of dividing the Black Sea Fleet is solved. Several months ago, Russia and Ukraine agreed that Ukraine would return the bombers and ALCMs to the Russian air force in return for a $190 million reduction in Ukraine's debt to Russia.
[Doug Clarke, "Fleet Impasse Holds Up Bomber Deal," OMRI Daily Digest, 6/8/95.] 
 
5/16/95: UKRAINIAN FUEL DEBT COULD BE EXCHANGED FOR BOMBERS AND ALCMs
Russian Defense Minister Pavel Grachev stated that Russia has not decided if it is going to purchase the 44 strategic bombers on Ukrainian territory.[1] A preliminary agreement in which Russia would forgive $190 million of Ukraine's fuel debt to Russia in exchange for the 19 Blackjack, 25 Bear bombers and 600 ALCMs has been reached[1]. Apparently, this agreement is final but no transfers have been made yet.[2] The implementation of the agreement is contingent upon a successful resolution of the Black Sea Fleet issue.[2]
Sources:
[1] "Inside Ukraine," Post-Soviet Nuclear & Defense Monitor, 5/1/95, p. 13.
[2] Correspondence with Alexander Pikaev, Center for Critical Technologies and Nonproliferation (Moscow), Monterey, CA, August 1995. 
 
4/15/95: ONLY 15% OF UKRAINIAN HEAVY BOMBERS ARE IN FLYING CONDITION
According to a commission from the Russian Air Force Long Range Aviation Headquarters, only 15 percent of the TU-160s and TU-95MS bombers are in flying condition. Nineteen TU-160s were operational one year ago, but currently only four are capable of flying; of the 25 TU-95MS that are based at Uzin, four could fly back to Russia without repairs. These supersonic bombers came into service in 1988 and some of them may have been built as recently as 1991. The Russian Air Force has set a schedule for the return of these bombers, which will most likely go to the airfield at Engels. The are some spare parts that are in such short supply that once the planes land in Russia, the parts will be stripped off, sent to Ukraine, where they will be installed on the next set of bombers returning to Russia.
[Leonid Kostrov, "Ukraine's Strategic Bombers Still Can Be Fixed," Segodnya, 4/6/95, p. 3.]
 
3/28/95: RUSSIA WILL FORGIVE UKRAINE’S GAS DEBT IN EXCHANGE FOR HEAVY BOMBERS
Russia will forgive Ukraine's $192.6 million natural gas debt in exchange for the 19 TU-160 supersonic jets and the 25 TU-95MS turbo-prop missile carrying aircraft that Ukraine has on its territory.
[Doug Clarke, "Ukraine and Russia Said to Agree on Bomber Price," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, No. 62, Part I, 3/28/95.] 
 
3/14/95: UKRAINE AGREED TO SELL STRATEGIC BOMBERS FOR $75 MILLION
Ukraine has agreed to sell the strategic bombers it inherited when the Soviet Union broke up to Russia for $75 million, which is the sum that the Russians offered, as opposed to the $800 million that Ukraine initially demanded. The bombers and some ALCMs are to be handed over to Russia in May.
[Doug Clarke, "Ukraine to Sell Bombers to Russia at Bargain Price," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, No. 54, Part II, 3/16/95.] 
 
1/19/95: QUESTION OF HEAVY BOMBER SALES DISCUSSED WITH RUSSIA
Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials and a Russian military delegation have discussed the possibility of Ukraine selling to Russia a number of the TU-160 (Blackjack) and TU-95MS (Bear-H) bombers that Ukraine inherited from the Soviet Union. Russian and Ukrainian specialists are to inspect the aircraft and determine their condition and value.
["Ukraine May Sell Strategic Bombers to Russia," OMRI DAILY DIGEST, Vol. 1, No. 14, Part II, 1/19/95.] 
 
10/94: RUSSIA REFUSED TO PURCHASE UKRAINIAN HEAVY BOMBERS
According to Ukrainian Defense Ministry officials, despite prior assurances that it would do so, Russia decided not to purchase the Tu-160 bombers located in Ukraine. Russia stated that a lack of funds was the reason behind the decision.
[UNIAN (Kyiv), 10/17/94, in "Russia Calls Off Purchase of Bombers," FBIS-SOV-94-201, 10/17/94.] 
 
5/94: UKRAINE WILLING TO TRANSFER HEAVY BOMBERS TO RUSSIA FOR $8 BILLION
Ukraine announced that it was willing to transfer its heavy strategic bombers to Russia for the sum of $8 billion. Russian Defense officials have dismissed the offer as unsatisfactory.
[Interfax (Moscow), 5/18/94, in "Ukrainian Readiness To Hand Over Bombers 'Gimmick,'" FBIS-SOV-94-097, 5/19/94, p. 15.] 

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.+
["Nuclear Weapons Deactivations Continue In FSU," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 11/94, p. 33.]

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.
[Department of State, Daily Press Briefing, 8/2/94, 12:45 PM.]

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.
[Boris Serhienko, "Kuchma Vows to Keep to Warheads Deal," INTELNEWS, 7/19/94.]

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.
["Ukraine Reportedly Halts Nuclear Weapons Withdrawal," UNIAN, 7/14/95.]

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.
[DEMOKRATYCHNA UKRAYINA, 7/5/94, p. 1, in "Parliament Not To Consider Halting Removal of Warheads," FBIS-SOV-94-130, 7/7/94, p. 53.]

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.
["Nuke Shipments To Be Discussed," UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, 7/3/94, p. 2; "We Had And Still Have Security Guarantees In Our Hands...," UKRAINSKA HAZETA, 9/22/94, p. 8; "Parliamentary Commissions Will Soon Discuss Revision of Ukraine's Nuclear Disarmament Concept," KIYEVSKIYE VEDOMOSTI, 6/30/94, p. 3; and "Commission To Discuss Nuclear Arms Withdrawal" and "Spokesman Warns Against Halting Nuclear Withdrawal."INTERFAX (Moscow), 7/30/94.]

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.
["Ukraine Agrees To Nuclear Safeguards Accord," REUTER, 6/29/94.]

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.
["All Nuclear Warheads Out Of Ukraine In 3-4 Years," RFE/RL NEWS BRIEFS, 5/20/94, p. 8.]

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.+
["Ukraine Deactivates Most SS-24 Missiles," UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, No. 19, 5/8/94.]

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.
["Ukraine Deactivates Most SS-24 Missiles," UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, No. 19, 5/8/94 and Anatoliy Yurkin, ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 5/4/94, in "180 Strategic Missiles Removed From Ukraine to Russia."JPRS-TND-94-011, 5/16/94, p. 32.]

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.
["Denuclearization In The FSU Proceeding," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 6/94, p. 31.]

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.
["Ukraine Deactivates Most SS-24 Missiles," UKRAINIAN WEEKLY, No. 19, 5/8/94.]

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.
[ITAR-TASS (Moscow), 3/22/94, 19:25 GMT, in "Secretary Perry Visits Strategic Missile Unit," JPRS-TND-94-008, 4/1/94, p. 42.]

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.
[Rostislav Khotin, "Ukraine Switches Schedule For Warheads Shipment," REUTER, 3/10/94 and John Diamond, "Ukrainian Nukes Travel To Russia As Perry Sees Base," WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/22/94, p. A10.]

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.
[Dunbar Lockwood, "Ukraine Begins Transfer Of Strategic Warheads," ARMS CONTROL TODAY, 4/94, p. 20.]

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]
[1] Michael R. Gordon, "Ukraine Acts Quickly On Promise To Deactivate Its Nuclear Arsenal," NEW YORK TIMES, 12/21/93, pp. A1, A4.
[2] Ron Popeski, "Ukraine, Russia, US Agree On Arms Compensation," REUTER, 12/18/93.

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.
[Thomas Friedman, "Ukraine Retreats On Nuclear Arms," NEW YORK TIMES, 11/30/94, p. A4.]

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.
["Ukraine Deactivates 20 SS-19 Missiles," RFE/RL NEWS BRIEFS, Vol. 2, No. 46, 11/12/94, p. 17.]

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.
[Michael Jasinski, "Two Warheads Moved to Russia," RFE/RL NEWS BRIEFS, 10/25-29/93, Vol. 2, No. 44.]

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.]

	Updated September 2005