More Chemical Weapons Scrapped in Russia

The first section of a plant to scrap 6,900 tons of chemical weapons was commissioned Friday in the Russian settlement of Maradykovo.

Itar-Tass reported the weapons had been stored in military depots since 1953. Slated to be scrapped are the most dangerous substances, such as sarin, Vx-gasses and mustard gas.

More than 40 bombs and missiles are said to contain these substances.

Itar-Tass reported that Russian scientists have developed a unique, two-stage technology to demolish the toxic substances by industrial means.

The Maradykovo plant, located in the Kirov Region, is the third chemical arms scrapping facility in Russia after Gorny and Kambarka.

Kirov Regional Governor Nikolai Shaklein told Itar-Tass about the importance of Friday’s event.

The scrapping by 2010 of more than 17.4 per cent of Russian toxic agents, stored up in Maradykovo, will make our land safer for living on, he said.