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Rosatom during the war: how militarization of the Russian nuclear giant took place

As the Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine lurches into its second year, extending the suffering and death of countless thousands, nearly the entire Russian economy has been shifted onto military footing.

Within this process, Rosatom, Russia’s putatively civilian state nuclear corporation, has emerged as a major player on the battlefield. Our new report, “Rosatom during the war: how militarization of the Russian nuclear giant took place,” explores the process that morphed one of the world’s most powerful nuclear energy corporations into one of Moscow’s most potent weapons in Ukraine — and beyond.

This transformation is something Bellona has closely observed, and we have published previous reports outlining Rosatom’s steps toward militarization in the period leading up to mid-2022.

In this new report, Bellona goes further with that analysis, reporting its research from where the last report left off to the present day. The report also explores Rosatom’s prospects, both within Russia and abroad — with special emphasis on the commanding role it often plays in foreign politics.

In preparing this report, Bellona authors proceed from the understanding that the war in Ukraine will lead to sweeping, long-term changes, primarily in the warring countries — which doubtless will affect their respective nuclear industries.

With this in mind, Bellona set the goal of establishing Rosatom’s nature as the war progressed, as well as examining that newly-emerged structure in the context of shifting world economics and politics, particularly sanctions directed against Russian — and whether they are having any effect on Rosatom as a whole.

Download the the report here: Rosatom during the war in Ukraine

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