For years, there has been much concern about the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the security of its WMD stockpiles. While certain stockpiles were meant to be destroyed and other programs and scientists have fallen under threat reduction programs, there has been a great deal of concern about the security of former Soviet WMD stockpiles and of terrorist or rogue regime interest in them. Added to the mix of the break-up of the Soviet Union and poorly paid workers, there has been a great deal of concern that some of these materials could be stolen and/or sold on the black market. Despite all these concerns outside Russia , the Russian government has been reluctant to admit publicly the potential for problems. However, the Director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), Nikolai Patrushev has publicly stated that terrorists may be trying to secure WMD materials from the former Soviet Republics. How the Russian government deals with this threat will impact the proliferation of these weapons significantly.

First, there is the realization that this is just not a Russian government problem, and cooperation has to be increased with former Soviet states. At a meeting with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Aktau, Kazakhstan that took place after a CIS exercise, which simulated a terrorist attack and response to the seizure of an oil tanker in the Caspian Sea, Patrushev stated that terrorists are striving to obtain WMD materials, and it was their mission to deny them that acquisition. He did not say which groups or when attempts were made to acquire WMD. However, security services are investigating, evaluating, and demanding accountability for the security of WMD facilities and materials. They are taking preventative measures in order to perfect the security of these materials and facilities, as the consequences are dire. They are seeking to eliminate flaws in the security and are striving to improve, if not to perfect, security measures. In other words, the materials are well protected, but protection could be improved. The Chief of the Defense Ministry?s Nuclear Safety and Security department has also claimed that a constant stream of intelligence indicates that terrorist groups developed plans to target military nuclear arsenals.

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