Text version:European Concern
April 22nd, 2024
Moldova Arrests Four Men Suspected of Smuggling Radioactive MaterialCHISINAU - Moldovan Police and State Security officials have arrested 4 men in relation to an attempt to smuggle nuclear material into Moldova, from Russia.
The individuals involved included a Romanian national, a former Russian nuclear institute worker, and at least one Moldovan national. The material was brought into Moldova on a train.
Senior officials from the Moldovan Security and Intelligence Service (Serviciul de Informații și Securitate) have confirmed that they have seized approximately 2.7 kilograms of highly enriched uranium 235 that was brought into Moldova on a train from Russia.
The material is believed to have been stolen from the Russian Institute of Physics and Power Engineering. The institute, which is operated by Russia’s Ministry of Atomic Energy, is involved in the research and development of nuclear power reactors and possesses several tons of weapons-usable material.
The Chief of the General Police Inspectorate, Viratl Ceteanu, said the individuals will be charged with theft and importation of dangerous material. He said that it was a very grave matter, considering those arrested included experts in the assembly of nuclear weapons.
SIS Director Artu Botnari confirmed that SIS operatives had been working closely with Agents from the FBI for twelve months on the investigation. Botnari further stated that the seized materials could be used in making a crude nuclear device.
This incident is more concerning given that in June 2013, less than 0.001 kilogram of highly enriched uranium was recovered in Chisinau. This material, along with 120 low enriched uranium fuel pellets, was found as a result of a SIS undercover operation. Three individuals apprehended were citizens of Romania and one was a resident of Moldova. A Moldovan court sentenced several of the individuals to probationary terms but one of the group’s leaders was sentenced to 2 years in prison.
AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION BY 1-506th S-2Written By: SFC Lowe
Reviewed and Edited By: 1LT Jae Lee
The entirety of this document represents fictional works of the 506th Infantry Regiment Realism Unit, S-2 Intelligence Shop, developed for use within the Arma 3 military simulation video game, and exists purely for entertainment and educational purposes only. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.
