OPCW holds ceremony marking completion of destruction of Russia’s chemical weapons stockpiles

The Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) recently participated in a ceremony marking the completion of the destruction of the Russian Federation’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles under OPCW verification protocols.

Held at the residence of Alexander Shulgin, Russia’s permanent representative to the OPCW, the event also hosted a number of representatives of State Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as well as staff from the OPCW Technical Secretariat.

During the ceremony, OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü presented a memorial certificate to Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Georgy Kalamanov commemorating the full destruction of 39,967 metric tons of chemical weapons previously stockpiled by Russia.

Üzümcü also gave a commemorative plaque to General Viktor Kholstov to recognize his efforts in achieving the significant milestone.

Each stockpile was destroyed at one of seven chemical weapons destruction facilities located throughout Russia, the last of which was officially completed on Sept. 27 at a facility in Kizner.

OPCW noted that with the total elimination of Russia’s declared chemical weapons program, approximately 96.3 percent of all chemical weapons stockpiles have been destroyed under the organization’s verification.

OPCW serves as the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Entered into force in 1997, the CWC represents the most successful disarmament treaty in history targeting an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.