Report evaluates Russian nuclear weapons security

A FEBRUARY 2002 annual report to Congress from the National Intelligence Council concludes that Russia maintains "adequate" control over its nuclear weapons but warns that although "nuclear [weapons complex] security has been slowly improving over the last several years, risks remain."

Russia maintains "adequate security and control of its nuclear weapons, but a decline in military funding has stressed the nuclear security system," the report states. The document characterizes an unauthorized or accidental use of a Russian nuclear weapon as "highly unlikely," given "current technical and procedural safeguards."

However, the report qualifies this positive assessment, …