Russian Defence Minister to examine nuclear test ground at Novaya Zemlya

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov will examine the Central Nuclear Test Ground at Novaya Zemlya. On Thursday, Sergei Ivanov set out for the site from Arkhangelsk. According to the Minister, he plans to examine personally the Novaya Zemlya test ground, which is the only nuclear test ground Russia had at its possession after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

"We will examine its present state, consider its problems and servicemen's living conditions, as well as decide what should be done to ensure the test ground's proper operation," Sergei Ivanov told journalists the other day.

At the same time, the high-ranking official emphasised that Russia had no plans to resume nuclear tests in spite of US unilateral withdrawal from the ABM Treaty.