Global Security Newswire

Russia as of Wednesday had destroyed 29 percent of its arsenal of chemical warfare agents, a total of 11,648 metric tons of material, ITAR-Tass reported (see GSN, June 4).

The nation "is entering the decisive stage" in its effort to meet the April 2012 deadline set by the Chemical Weapons Convention for full elimination of the 40,000-ton stockpile, said Nikolai Khlebnikov, acting chief of the disposal program.

Disposal operations have been completed at one storage location, Gorny. More than 96 percent of weapons stored at the Kambarka site have been destroyed, along with nearly 64 percent at Maradykovsky, Khlebnikov said.

Work began last month at the Leonidovka storage site, while operations are set to begin in December at the Shchuchye plant. Two additional facilities are scheduled to be built between 2009 and 2011.

Russia this year directed an extra $125 million to chemical weapons disposal operations, to make up for money that did not arrive from other nations, said Viktor Kholstov, of the Russian Industry and Trade Ministry.

"Despite all financing problems, thanks to immense effort of all involved ministries the federal program to eliminate chemical weapons in Russia received major support in the past two years and was recognized by the Russian government as one of the most successful goal-oriented programs under implementation,"" Kholstov said (ITAR-Tass, Oct. 3).