Вил Мирзаянов - State Secrets - An Insider's Chronicle of the Russian Chemical Weapons Program

Moscow February 24, 1993

Captain of Justice Shkarin, Senior Investigator of the Investigation Department at the Ministry of Security of the Russian Federation, in the presence of Nikolai Aleksandrovich Kuznetsov, Deputy Director for Science of the State Russian Science Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (GRNIIOKhT), and witnesses: Valentina Ivanovna Lisitsyna, permanent address: Moscow, Ozernaya Street, Bldg. 38, and Galina Vyacheslavovna Mikhailovskaya, permanent address: Moscow, Magnitogorskaya Street, Bldg. 27, Apt. 43, being guided by the requirements stipulated in Articles 141, 178, 179, and 182 of the RSFSR Criminal and Procedural Code, in the office of the First Department of GRNIIOKhT examined Case N 73-3. The people listed above were advised that according to Article 169 of the RSFSR Criminal and Procedural Code, they have the right to observe all the actions of the investigator and to make statements to be included in the transcript of the report.

Witnesses Valentina I. Lisistyna and Galina V. Mikhailovskaya were also informed that, according to Article 13 of the RSFSR Criminal and Procedural Code, they were obliged to witness the fact, content, and outcome of the inspection.

Case N 73-3, inventory number 6291, in one volume, on 260 numbered pages in the dark-blue cardboard folder. In this case there is a document on pages 160-165 with the title “Technical order for a part of the experimental and design work of “Agent A-232” based on the system of components” and the cipher “Novichok-5,” stamp “Top Secret,” number 2187 ss/khf. The document contains 9 clauses. (Further, all the clauses are enumerated.)

[At the bottom of the last page of the original document there is a signature and the date, April 20, 1990, in blue ink.]

During the inspection, Kuznetsov explained that Agent A-232 mentioned in the technical order was the new chemical agent in its binary version, created at GRNIIOKhT. He said Agent A-208 is a known chemical agent of the VX type; Military Unit 36382 was deployed at the chemical test site in the Nukus area; signature and date, April 20, 1990. The official stamp on the document was executed by Vil Sultanovich Mirzayanov, and this means that Mirzayanov, as head of the Foreign Technical Counterintelligence Department, was responsible for the research division which concerned itself with implementation of the requirements on maintaining state and military secrecy. It also meant that Mirzayanov read this technical order and agreed with the stipulated requirements on maintaining the state and military secrecy, while carrying out experimental and design work with the new chemical agent. (Signed by the participants of the inspection.)

Top Secret

Copy No 2

Series “F”

According to p. 4.7 of the List

AGREED UPON Confirmed by

Chief of 4984 VP MO

E.A. Umbliya

April 27, 1990

ACCORDED

with the notes from 1244-60/chf/2T-575

Chief of 458 VP MO

N.G. Ragulin

05.16.1990

Director of GOSNIIOKhT

V. A. Petrunin

05.04. 1990

ACCORDED

with the notes from 1244-60/chf/2T-575 ss

General director of NPO “Bazalt”

A. S. Obuchov

05.16. 1990

2187 ss/khf

1. THE DENOMINATION, CODE AND JUSTIFICATION FOR PERFORMING THE COMPOUND OF THE OKR [“OKR” stands for experimental design work – V.M.]

The OKR’s compound part Substance “A-232” based on a system of the components, the “Novichok-5” code, “The development, manufacture and delivery of bodies of the special products (models) of the Explosion Operation Mode for Field Tests of the System of components of the substance “A-232” is being carried out following the resolution of the Authority No 844-186, adopted on 10.06.89 [ The Authority means Central Committee CPSU and the signature of it’s First Secretary General M. Gorbachev this time – V. M.], and tactical and technical assignment for the OKR.

(initial No 0076 khf of 12.07.89 of Military Unit 64518 – [ a Special Unit of Ministry of Defense on the Special Weapons – V. M.]

2. GOAL OF CONDUCTING THE COMPOUND PART OF OKR

The provision of field tests of the system of the components of the substance “A-232” by bodies of special products (models)* of the explosive operation mode.

3. THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE COMPOUND PART OF OKR

3.1 To manufacture and deliver models of the explosion operation mode for conducting field tests of the system of components of Substance “A-232” in comparison with Substance “A-208”.

3.2 To participate in field tests in Military Unit v/ch 26382. [next to the city of Nukus –V.M.]

4. THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PERFORMING THE COMPOUND PART OF OKR

4.1 A quantity of models of the explosive operation mode of complement bundles (units) for conducting field tests must be manufactured, as a result of the work necessary, and also the technical documentation for them must be presented.

Cylinders for the system of components of the substance “A-232” and the substance “A- 208” must be delivered to the equipment charging place, and also bodies and completing units must be delivered to the test polygon [test site].

4.3 The effectiveness of the mixing mechanism and functioning of the models must be confirmed by the conclusion of NPO “Bazalt” in accordance with test results.

-Tests are being conducted in simulating equipment, within the temperature interval – 30 +50 Degrees on Celsius with the application of simulators, used by NPO “Bazalt” during the development of models of drawings 243.5.586.087 and 243.5.585.820 in 1987-1988. –I-3-6(BK)

4.4 The manufacture, delivery of models with completing units and participation in field tests are being realized in accordance with the agreement at GOSNIIOKhT.

Within a month after the approval of this Technical Order (TZ), NPO “Bazalt” drafts and complies with the GOSNIIOKhT project-timetable for completing this work.

*Bodies of special products (models) – further referred to as models.

5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 285 models of the explosion operation mode must be manufactured, among them:

models of draw. 243.5.586.087-02 -133 pcs

models of draw. 243.5.586.087-12 -82 pcs

models of draw. 243.5.585.820-02 -50 pcs

models of draw. 243.5.585.820.12 -20 pcs

Models should have all the necessary completing parts, corresponding to drawings for each type of model, including pressure and temperature detectors, samplers and ejection valves.

5.2 The necessary number of containers must be developed and manufactured for transportation of filled and non-filled cylinders, for sets and assembled parts, as well as for bodies of all types of models. Containers should ensure the safety of their contents during shipment by rail transport to a distance up to 4,000 km, and by auto transport up to 1,000 km. The inspection can be allowed in accordance with the normative and technical documentation in effect.