Russian Nuclear Security Update #11

ROSTECHNADZOR INSPECTS NUCLEAR MATERIALS CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING AT THE FLOATING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

April 4, 2024

Rostechnadzor inspected compliance with basic requirements for accounting and control of nuclear materials in the organization, accounting and reporting documentation, and physical inventory results at the first Russian floating nuclear power plant. No violations of mandatory requirements were reported.

A MILITARY UNIT WILL BE BUILT IN KURCHATOV TO GUARD THE KURSK NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

April 12, 2024

The Kurchatov city administration held public hearings to discuss the territory planning for the construction of new military unit facilities. The project includes administrative buildings, service points, and training grounds. All NPPs in Russia are subjected to protection by the National Guard units. It is not clear if new construction is intended to replace currently available infrastructure or add new capabilities in response to potential threats associated with the war in Ukraine. Russian authorities have reported Ukrainian attempts to attack Kursk NPP using drones.

ROSTECHNADZOR ISSUED A LICENSE TO OPERATE A FUEL FABRICATION MODULE FOR FUTURE BREST REACTOR

April 12, 2024

Obtaining a license from Rostechnadzor will allow Siberian Chemical Combine to move on to the next stage of testing equipment and technology procedures. The current license terms will allow comprehensive testing of equipment for the production of BREST-OD-300 fuel assemblies using depleted uranium. Another license will be needed to allow testing with plutonium. The BREST-OD-300 reactor is under construction in Seversk, Tomsk Region, at the site of the Siberian Chemical Combine. The BREST reactor will be colocated with a module for producing mixed nitride uranium-plutonium nuclear fuel and a module for reprocessing irradiated fuel.

ROSTECHNADZOR DISCUSSES THE SECURITY OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCES IN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES OF UKRAINE

April 11, 2024

Rostechnaezor met with Vladislav Vasilyev, Deputy Chairman of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR, occupied territory of Ukraine’s Donetsk Region) Government. Meeting participants discussed measures that must be implemented by local enterprises handling radioactive sources to bring their work in compliance with Russian regulatory requirements and maintain the security of radioactive sources. Mr. Vasilyev noted that most organizations handling radioactive sources are located within city limits, which adds urgency to the issue.

ROSATOM PROMOTES SECURITY AND SAFETY CULTURE IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY AND BEYOND

April 5, 2024

Rosatom Technical Academy (Rosatomtech), jointly with Rosatom’s Office of Inspector General, held the 2nd Industry School of Security and Safety Culture Ambassadors. The School was attended by employees of Rosatom’s organizations, Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, and Russian organizations from other industries. Sergey Adamchik, Rosatom’s Inspector General, in his opening remarks, acknowledged that production goals conflict with safety and security, which is why there is a need to talk about security and safety culture. Elena Chernetskaya, the Head of Rosatomtech’s Center for Security and Safety Culture and Personnel Reliability, noted that the key role of Ambassadors is not to ignore violations and to promote compliance with safety and security requirements by leading by example. Key Ambassadors’ competency is communication.