Global Security Newswire

A Russian chemical weapons disposal site has finished elimination of 232.6 metric tons of the nerve agent sarin, Interfax reported yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 15).

The Maradykovsky facility in the Kirov Region destroyed 4,866 munitions filled with the chemical warfare material.

Progress has also been made in preparations to begin disarmament operations for a cache of munitions filled with a mixture of mustard and lewisite blister agents. There are 150 metric tons of the material waiting for disposal.

"The facility has completed the construction of a line for the destruction of mustard-lewisite mixture," said the Kirov Region government in a statement. "In late November, hook-up and commissioning work will start at the line, testing the technology for destroying this toxic substance."

Full chemical weapons destruction at Maradykovsky is expected to be finished by 2012 (Interfax, Nov. 19).