MOSCOW. Sept 29 (Interfax-AVN) - The destruction of RS-20 (Satan) intercontinental ballistic missiles in the Chelyabinsk region is proceeding on schedule, the Strategic Missile Forces press service said on Monday.
The last remaining silo of a regiment manning the missiles will be blown up near the town of Kartaly on Tuesday, the report says. This will be the 12th launch silo destroyed in 2003, it says.
All launch silos of an ICBM regiment withdrawn from combat duty had been destroyed by July this year. The first silo of another ICBM regiment was destroyed on August 12, the report reads.
"The silo-based ballistic missile launcher's destruction takes place in accordance with the SMF restructuring plan and procedures envisaged in the START treaty. Under the procedures, silos remain accessible for U.S. national technical control assets for 90 days after the destruction, which is followed by recultivation of the combat launch pad and transfer of vacated lands to the local administration," the report reads.
"Silo-based launchers of three ICBM regiments are to be destroyed this year. In accordance with Strategic Missile Forces restructuring plans, the unit will be disbanded before 2005," the report says.