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Putin Honors Widows of Experts Who Died in Rocket Explosion

Associated Press

   MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin has handed state awards to
   the widows of nuclear engineers who died in an explosion at the navy's
   testing range, saying they sacrificed their lives to develop a
   cutting-edge weapon that will protect the country "for decades ahead."

   Speaking in remarks televised Friday, Putin hailed the five men who
   died in the Aug. 8 incident in Nyonoksa on the White Sea as heroes and
   patriots.

   "Each of them has brought an invaluable contribution to the
   strengthening of the Russian state," he said in a somber speech at the
   ceremony. "They were involved in the most difficult and critically
   important work on the most advanced technology that has no analogues in
   the world."

   The Russian leader pledged that Russia will work to complete the
   development of the weapon involved in the incident, saying it will
   "ensure sovereignty and security for Russia and peace for our children
   for decades ahead."

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