The oxidation states and coordination environment of iron ions in borosilicate glass used for the immobilization of iron containing radioactive waste are studied by the methods of Mössbauer and Fourier transform IR spectroscopies. In homogeneous glass, containing no more than 50 wt % of waste oxides, iron is present in the form of Fe 3+ and Fe 2+ ions in octahedral coordination with oxygen. The phase of a iron con taining spinel, in which iron atoms with an oxidation number of +3 in the magnetically ordered state sur rounded tetrahedrally by oxygen atoms (Fe 3+ O 4 ) and iron in the two and trivalent states in the octahedral oxygen environment (Fe 3+ O 6 + Fe 2+ O 6 ) are present, is precipitated at higher waste concentrations. Both the Mössbauer and IR spectra of glass crystalline materials are combinations of the corresponding individual spectra. The quantitative ratio of the doubly and triply charged iron ions in samples depends on the synthesis conditions. The maximum fraction of iron in the glass phase (about 28%) and, at the same time, the maxi mum fraction of the Fe 3+ ions (91.3%) are observed in the sample prepared in a crucible by heating in a lab oratory furnace in the air environment and subsequent quenching on a metal sheet.