New BSR Policy Briefing studies the nuclear waste challenge in the Russian arctic
The Russian Arctic, spanning over 5 000 kilometers along the Arctic Ocean, is crucial to Russia’s economy and military strategy. It is home to more than half of the world’s Arctic population, around 2,6 million people. Russia operates nuclear power plants in the Arctic and is expanding this infrastructure with floating and mobile nuclear plants. The region also hosts a fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers and military nuclear facilities.
Russia has a significant waste legacy
This extensive nuclear presence during the Soviet and Russian era has left behind a significant radioactive waste legacy. The western part of the Russian Arctic, and particularly the Kara Sea, has become one of the most radioactively contaminated areas in the world. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 heightened global awareness of nuclear safety issues. Russia faced challenges in effectively managing nuclear waste, especially due to financial constraints and the division of responsibility between military and civilian sectors.
War stopped the international cooperation
In the 2000s, international projects aimed to eliminate Russia's nuclear legacy, particularly in the Arctic. Concurrently with the evolution of international collaboration, the Russian legislative framework governing nuclear energy began to take shape. The state corporation Rosatom was established in 2007, and it oversees all nuclear waste management.
International cooperation, particularly through the Arctic Council and bilateral efforts with Norway, have played a crucial role in waste management, with contributions of over 2,5 billion euros to mitigate the nuclear legacy. Since the war in Ukraine, much of this collaboration has stopped. Key partners like Norway have suspended funding for cleanup efforts, leaving Russia, and particularly Rosatom, to manage these complex projects alone.
Military goals are a priority
Amidst geopolitical tensions, Russia’s focus has shifted from environmental concerns to economic and military goals in the Arctic. The development of the Northern Sea Route, supported by a growing fleet of nuclear icebreakers, has taken priority. As international cooperation decreased, Russia has strengthened its ties with Belarus in radioactive waste management, and Belarus is developing its own waste disposal facilities with Russian support.
The future of nuclear waste management in the Russian Arctic remains uncertain. International cooperation has largely halted, and Russia’s financial and geopolitical challenges slow progress. Despite some remaining collaborations, particularly in climate research, the lack of global involvement threatens Russia's efforts to safely manage its nuclear legacy. With the Arctic's environmental risks growing, the need for comprehensive nuclear waste management is increasingly urgent.
