The United States has cautioned Russia regarding sensitive nuclear technology at a nuclear power plant located in Ukraine. A letter from the U.S. Department of Energy to Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company has made clear that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant houses U.S.-origin nuclear technical data that is under export control by the U.S. Government.
In the correspondence, dated March 17, 2023, the director of the Energy Department’s Office of Nonproliferation Policy emphasized that the Zaporizhzhia plant, currently under Russian control, “contains U.S.-origin nuclear technical data” that falls under strict export controls aimed at protecting U.S. national security interests.
Despite being the largest nuclear power station in Europe, the facility has faced multiple disconnections from Ukraine’s power grid due to ongoing Russian military action. These disruptions have heightened fears across Europe of a potential nuclear incident.
While Ukrainian personnel continue to operate the plant, Rosatom is responsible for its management. The Energy Department’s letter asserted that it is “unlawful” for Russian individuals or entities to handle any U.S. technology without proper authorization.
The Department of Energy also confirmed the authenticity of the letter amid ongoing concerns. It is unclear if there has been any response from Rosatom regarding these warnings.
Furthermore, an earlier letter from the Energy Department highlighted that the U.S. has not authorized the transfer of any nuclear technology to Russian entities, reiterating strong measures in place to safeguard sensitive nuclear information.
In past communications, the U.S. has expressed support for enhancing operational procedures at the Zaporizhzhia plant, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to maintaining energy security in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.
