Civil preparedness

Vladimir Putin orders Russian security council to stockpile nuclear protective equipment

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his security council to assess Russia's readiness to survive a nuclear, chemical or biological disaster and has told them to stockpile protective equipment if necessary. The order was given during one of Putin's regular meetings with the council that is made up of the heads of Russia's intelligence, defence and law enforcement agencies. High-ranking ministers and the speaker of the Russian house of parliament are also permanent members of the group.