Russia does not allow theft of portable antiaircraft missile systems, Vyacheslav Sedov, the head of the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry, told RIA Novosti.
"We follow the movements of such systems and prevent them from being stolen. Registration is very strict," Sedov said. "As regards ammunition and arms, strict measures are taken in Russia to ensure the toughest control."
Simultaneously, he said that portable antiaircraft missile systems still remain in post-Soviet army depots and recalled that in 2003 Russia proposed monitoring the sale and movements of the Igla, Strela and Strela-M systems to countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. All of them, except Turkmenistan, supported the initiative and each pledged informing each other of the export/import of the systems, disclosing information on their having them.
Circulating on Tuesday the information on the discovery of "Soviet missiles" in the Spanish-French police operation against ETA, the Spanish Interior Ministry noted that both the missiles had been manufactured long before, updated later and are in a condition good enough to be used at any time.
The Spanish secret services learnt about the purchase of the two ground-to-air missile systems from intelligence.
As is reported, after their type is ascertained, the missiles will be taken to Bordeaux to be destroyed at a special test range.
