Russian Nuclear Security Update #13
New requirements to MC&A in Belarus; security for Rosatom projects overseas; Russian SMRs for Uzbekistan; PP training at Akkuyu; proliferation-resistant reprocessing.
Dear Readers, I apologize for the pause between updates. I expect to catch up in the coming weeks. This issue mostly features news related to Russia’s international nuclear energy cooperation and its impact on nuclear security in newcomer countries.
THE BELARUSIAN NUCLEAR REGULATOR ISSUED NEW REQUIREMENTS TO CONTROL AND ACCOUNTING OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS.
The order of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus #4 of February 6, 2024, enacted new Norms and Rules, type of regulatory documents used to establish mandatory requirements for nuclear security and safety, “Security During the Handling of Nuclear Material. Requirements to Accounting and Control of Nuclear Material and Ensuring Operation of the State Safeguards System” (Requirements to MC&A and Safeguards). The Belarusian Ministry of Emergencies performs the functions of a nuclear regulatory body through its Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety. New Requirements to MC&A and Safeguards entered into force on April 30, 2024, replacing the previous revision in force since 2019.
ROSATOM HAS A DEDICATED DEPARTMENT FOR THE SECURITY OF ITS OVERSEAS PROJECTS.
May 6, 2024
Rosatom Technical Academy published news about the annual meeting to discuss activities related to the authority of Rosatom’s Department for Ensuring Security of Overseas Sites. Participants discussed the security of Rosatom's overseas construction sites and the personnel working there. The second group of topics discussed included approaches to designing physical protection systems for overseas nuclear sites and cooperation with law enforcement authorities and specialized organizations of host countries. It is the first time I have seen the notion of this department. Rosatom has a comprehensive security organization reporting to a dedicated Deputy Director.
RUSSIA AND UZBEKISTAN AGREED ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS.
May 27, 2024
Atomstroyexport, Rosatom’s division constructing nuclear power plants abroad, and Uzbekistan’s Directorate for the Construction of Nuclear Power Plants under Uzatom, Uzbekistan’s Agency for Atomic Energy, signed a contract for the construction of a small nuclear power plant (SNPP) in Uzbekistan. Atomstroyexport will build SNPP in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan with a total capacity of 330 MW (six reactors of 55 MW each). The SNPP will use the RITM-200N reactor, a land-based adaptation of reactors for nuclear-powered ice breakers.
ROSATOM TECHNICAL ACADEMY CONDUCTED PHYSICAL PROTECTION TRAINING AT AKKUYU NUCLEAR POWER PLANT.
May 30, 2024
Instructors from the Global Nuclear Security and Physical Protection Institute, Rosatom Technical Academy’s division dedicated to nuclear security, delivered physical protection training to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant personnel. The training covered the following topics:
Fundamentals of physical protection for nuclear sites
Fundamentals of physical protection for radioactive sources during their use
Commissioning and operation of physical protection equipment
The work of the Global Nuclear Security and Physical Protection Institute relies on the foundation established during the U.S.-Russian nuclear security cooperation that included the development of training infrastructure and training materials covering a broad range of physical protection topics.
ROSATOM ANNOUNCED THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROLIFERATION-RESISTANT REPROCESSING TECHNOLOGY.
June 4, 2024
Rosatom announced it has developed recycling technology that will be used within the framework of the pilot energy complex under construction on the site of the Siberian Chemical Combine in Seversk, Tomsk Region. This pilot energy complex is supposed to implement a closed nuclear fuel cycle concept, including a BREST reactor and front-end and back-end fuel cycle facilities. Rosatom claims the new technology is proliferation-resistant, as plutonium and uranium are not separated from each other during reprocessing.