USSURIYSK, Russian Far East. Feb 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Three top secret items of secret communication units used on SU-27 Flanker aircraft have been stolen from a warehouse of aircraft equipment of Russia's 11th air force and air defense army.
Sources in the Ussuriysk garrison's Military Prosecutor's Office told Interfax on Monday that criminal charges have been made against the head of the warehouse of aircraft instruments and equipment of the 11th army's air garrison.
The loss was registered in late November 2001, but the Military Prosecutor's Office learned about it in late January 2002, when the new commander of the 11th army, Major General Igor Sadofyev, took office.
The head of the warehouse, who had been missing for two months, has been found and arrested.
A source in the Military Prosecutor's Office has told Interfax that "the secret parts must have been stolen for sale."
An air force and air defense expert has told Interfax that if the materials are not found and are taken abroad, "irreparable damage will be inflicted on Russia's defense capability."