RUSSIA TO ACQUIRE STRATEGIC NUCLEAR MISSILES FROM UKRAINE.

Russia plans to acquire 32 SS-19 strategic missiles from Ukraine in a deal that will maintain its nuclear weapons potential until 2009, a senior Russian military commander said today. Colonel General Igor Sergeyev, commander-in-chief of strategic forces, said the missile accord had been reached at talks between the two former Soviet republics in the southern Russian city of Sochi. In a related development, Russian Air Force commander Pyotr Deinekin announced that Moscow had also decided to buy 19 TU-160 "Blackjack" and 25 TU-95 "Bear" strategic bombers from Ukraine. (1)

Fear in Moscow Over Chechen Rebel Threats.