History and Current Status of Ocean Dumping of Radioactive Waste by Russia (2020s)

History and Current Status of Ocean Dumping of Radioactive Waste by Russia (2020s)

### 1. Historical Background
The Russian practice of dumping radioactive waste into the Barents Sea and Kara Sea in the Arctic Circle has continued since the days of the former Soviet Union; from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, approximately 18,000 pieces of radioactive waste were sunk in these waters. The K-27 was intentionally dumped in 1982, and the K-159 sank during towing operations in 2003. the K-27 sank in shallow waters at 33 meters, and the K-159 sank at a depth of 200 meters, raising concerns about the environmental risks posed by each. There are concerns about the environmental risks posed by each.

At the time, ocean dumping of these wastes was done under a "put it out of sight" policy that downplayed their environmental impact. Although the London Convention banned the dumping of radioactive waste at sea in 1993, by 1994 11 more reactors had been dumped into the sea, some containing spent nuclear fuel.

### 2. Current Status and Efforts in the 2020s
In recent years, Russia has initiated plans to remove these wastes. Led by Rosatom, the plan calls for the removal of six major waste sites over an eight-year period. The cost for the removal amounts to 278 million euros, of which 57.5 million euros is estimated for the salvage of K-159.

So far, the Norwegian government has contributed 150 million euros to support nuclear safety projects in the Arctic. However, the removal process is technically complex and involves the risk of radioactive leakage, so careful implementation is required; K-27 has been described as a "radioactive time bomb" and urgent measures are needed.

### 3. Future Issues
This issue has the potential for long-term impacts on ecosystems and fisheries resources throughout the Arctic, and international cooperation is essential. It is hoped that this project, led by Russia, will serve as an important model case in environmental protection in the Arctic through cooperation with the international community.