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Yushchenko Ordered Not to Share Radar Data with Russia
Ukraine’s President Viktor Yushchenko has inked a decree, whereby Ukraine stops providing to Russia the data of its radar stations in Mukachevo and Sevastopol, Kommersant Ukraine reported with reference to informal sources.
Russia denounced the agreement on using Ukrainian radar stations far back in February 2008. Although Moscow still buys the information from those radar stations, it intends to finally reject the data.
According to informal sources, Yushchenko inked the decree on radar stations June 9, but the document hasn’t been promulgated yet. There are “definite reasons” for secrecy, a source with Ukraine’s National Security Council explained on condition of anonymity.
Other sources, however, say the decree has been elaborated but its signing is slated for June 13.
The Dnepr radar stations were put into operation in 1979 and passed to Ukraine after collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia used their data under the international agreements, paying $1.3 million a year for it.
The radars are obsolete and Ukrainian operators aren’t properly qualified, spokesman of Russia’s military leadership tend to announce today. Then President Vladimir Putin inked the decree on agreement’s denunciation February 12, 2008.
Of interest is that Yushchenko’s decree also commits to upgrade those radar stations for future joint use with western partners.
www.kommersant.com
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