Investigation Findings: NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr"

Contract Analysis and Missing Data

• Commission Findings: Commission member Dr. Brinza (Doctor of Technical Sciences) analyzed a total of 245 contracts.
• Additional Documents: 33 additional payment documents revealed 33 contracts missing from the institute's materials.
• Explosive Transactions:
  • NII 'Roskonversvzryvtsentr' purchased 34,157 tons of explosives from military units and chemical plants.
  • The institute was documented to send only 23,161 tons of explosives to consumers.
  • Missing Data: Data on 10,996 tons of explosives was missing from the presented documents.

Administrative Actions

• By order of the Minister of Education (No. 2056 of 06.07.2000), the director of NII "Roskonversvzryvtsentr", Yu. G. Shchukin, was dismissed from his post following the inspection.
• Note: Shchukin was later reinstated.

Statements and Gaps in Investigation

• In December 2001, during an interview with 'Ren-TV', Yuliy Shchukin stated that he dealt not only with hexogen but also with more dangerous substances, such as octogen.
• Commission Limitation: The commission did not receive a single contract regarding hexogen or octogen.
• Conclusion: It was concluded that the specialists from the Ministry of Education of the RF were only partially able to study the institute's activities, and the question of hexogen among the unaccounted 10,996 tons remains open.

Illegal Circulation of Explosives

Systemic Failures

• The illegal circulation of explosives is not limited to direct black market sales.
• In the case of NII 'Roskonversvzryvtsentr', the state itself created conditions for the leakage of dangerous substances by failing to establish a clear legislative framework strictly regulating the circulation of explosives (at least between state organizations).
• The institute's accounting and control system failed at every step, with documentary evidence supporting this.

Specific Transaction Evidence

• The institute released hexogen by the ton, operating outside the legislative field.
• Testimony of Nikita Chekulin: Colonel Vorobyev from the Main Directorate of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations of the Tver region attempted to obtain one ton of hexogen checkers via proxy from NII 'Roskonversvzryvtsentr'.
• Formalization: This transaction was formalized by General of the Ministry of Emergency Situations V. V. Stepanov as a delivery of TNT (contract No. 11509795-142-99 of December 24, 1999), with a payment order to the institute's account, listed as 'for TNT'.
• Power of Attorney: On April 27, 2000, Shchukin issued a power of attorney to the Tver Directorate of Civil Defense and Emergency Situations to receive one ton of hexogen from military unit No. 68 586.
• Continuation of Attempt: Colonel Vorobyev attempted to obtain the ton even during the inspection period, citing prior payment, but was denied a new power of attorney. However, the hexogen was reportedly received because the organization's accounting department made no claims against the institute.
• Justification: When Pavel Voloshin of 'Novaya Gazeta' questioned Shchukin in Fall 2001 about the need for hexogen checkers by the Tver Directorate of GO and ChS, Shchukin replied: "For the settling of houses in Tver."

Official Denial

• The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia resolutely denied both the possibility of such a transaction and the existence of Colonel Vorobyev.
• In response to a request from State Duma deputy Sergei Kovalev addressed to Minister for Civil Defense and Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu (KS-2260 of 16.05.02), State Secretary, Deputy Minister A. P. Moskalets replied (letter No. 30-90-11 of May 27, 2002).