Moscow
Chechen terrorists have tried to steal nuclear warheads twice in the past three years, Russia’s head of nuclear safety revealed this week. Col. Gen. Igor Valynkin said that groups of militants were caught trying to break into a warhead warehouse in 2002 and 2003. He did not say what became of them. Other Russian officials agreed that Chechens pose a nuclear security threat. Viktor Ilyukhin, deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on security, told Ekho Moskvy radio that many Chechens have inside knowledge because they had served in the Soviet army. “Many even have experience of guarding our crucial facilities,” he said.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
