Loading shoulder-fired weapons, or MANPADS, into a pit for destruction, Tajikistan, 21 June 2006. (OSCE)

After a fire at an ammunition depot in May 2004 in Novobogdanivka, Ukraine asked the OSCE for help with rehabilitating the large area of land contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO). Photo taken 27 September 2005. (OSCE)

The OSCE is assisting Ukraine in disposing of its large stockpiles of "melange", a decaying and highly toxic component of old Soviet rocket fuel, 14 July 2005. (OSCE)

The recycling of Armenia's decaying rocket fuel component, known as "melange", begins, 18 October 2006. (OSCE)

Hydrolic sheers cutting weapons to render them ineffective, 5 June 2006. The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation is assisting Tajikistan destroy its surplus of small arms and ammunition, which pose a security threat if not properly stored. (OSCE)

A corroding container holding "melange", a decaying and highly toxic component of outdated rocket fuel, Kazakhstan, 1 November 2005. (OSCE)

A storage and destruction facility for small arms and light weapons (SALW) was opened by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, 22 June 2006. Special cutting machines will be used to destroy over 26,000 weapons recovered by Tajik law agencies. (OSCE/Surat Toimastov)

International observers examine a storage facility in Ukraine, in July 2005, used for melange, a dangerous missile fuel component that was used in the former USSR. Its components are extremely reactive, easily evaporating and highly toxic. (OSCE/Anton Martynyuk)

The OSCE helps its states find a solution to the health and environment threats posed by Melange, a highly explosive missile fuel component that was used in the former USSR. Its components are extremely reactive, easily evaporating and highly toxic. (OSCE)

A group of OSCE international experts examine the condition of conventional ammunition designated for disposal at the Aris Central Arsenal, near Chemkent, Kazakhstan, 8 June 2005. (OSCE/Yurii Kryvonos)

Conventional ammunition designated for disposal stored outdoor at the Aris Central Arsenal, near Chemkent, Kazakhstan, 8 June 2005. (OSCE/Yurii Kryvonos)

International observers visiting an artillery depot in Chemolgan, Kazakhstan, examine various small arms and light weapons designated for destruction, 6 June 2005. (OSCE/Yurii Kryvonos)

OSCE expert Yurii Kryvonos shows a shoulder fired "Strela-IIM" anti-aircraft missile to international observers before it is destroyed near Sluck, Belarus, 25 May 2005. This was part of OSCE efforts to eliminate surplus small arms and light weapons. (OSCE)

A shoulder fired "Strela-IIM" anti-aircraft missile before destruction near the city of Sluck, Belarus, 25 May 2005, part of OSCE efforts to eliminate surplus small arms and light weapons. (OSCE)

Mortar shells in a storage facility in Tajikistan, 2004. The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation helps destroy stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

OSCE expert Anton Martynyuk examines mortar shells at a storage facility in Tajikistan, 2004. The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation helps destroy stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

Small arms stored in Tajikistan, 2004. The OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation helps destroy stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

The OSCE Office in Yerevan has helped to complete a study on the environmentally sound recycling of 872 tons of melange (a component of rocket fuel) in Armenia. (OSCE)

Boxes of ammunition stored on the ground. OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation focuses on destroying stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions, left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

"Uragan" missiles stored under the sky. OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation focuses on destroying stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions, left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

The OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation focuses on destroying stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions, left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)

The OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation focuses on destroying stockpiles of deteriorating surplus conventional weapons and munitions, left over from the Cold War era. (OSCE)