Radioactive Waste Dumping by Russia - October 1996

Radioactive Waste Dumping by Russia - October 1996

Since the Soviet era, Russia has been facing serious issues with the dumping of nuclear waste into the sea. Approximately 17,000 containers of radioactive waste have been sunk in the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea, with the total radioactivity exceeding 2.5 million curies (Ci). Additionally, the decommissioned nuclear submarine "K-27" and residues from nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities were dumped, raising concerns about the long-term impact on ecosystems.

From an environmental protection perspective in the Arctic, the Norwegian government strongly urged Russia to halt the dumping. Despite the London Convention banning marine dumping of radioactive waste in 1993, it was reported that 11 more nuclear reactors were dumped into the sea by 1994, some containing spent nuclear fuel.

The Russian government announced a budget of 100 million rubles (approximately 200 million yen) annually to build onshore waste processing facilities, but progress has been slow due to the economic crisis. In response, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Norwegian government launched the Arctic Nuclear Waste Cleanup Program to address the issue.

This problem poses a serious threat to fisheries and marine ecosystems, creating a long-term environmental challenge across the Arctic region.