Kathrine Frich
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has repeatedly threatened nuclear escalation.
Yet one of Moscow’s most strategic industries has remained largely untouched by sweeping Western penalties.
Russia’s nuclear sector, dominated by state corporation Rosatom, continues to operate globally despite its deep links to the Kremlin and the war.
A protected industry
Rosatom sits at the core of Russia’s military-industrial system while also acting as a major civilian exporter.
According to The Kyiv Independent, it controls nearly half of the world’s uranium enrichment capacity and is the leading exporter of nuclear reactors and fuel.
Although revenues from nuclear exports are smaller than oil and gas earnings, analysts say the sector’s strategic value is far greater.
The Kremlin has highlighted Rosatom’s role in everything from rare earth metals to nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Despite this, the U.S., EU and U.K. have stopped short of imposing full blocking sanctions on Rosatom itself.
War and reactors
Russia targeted Ukrainian nuclear facilities from the first days of the invasion in February 2022. Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, was seized and remains under Rosatom control.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has described the site as being in a “very precarious” position.
Analysts at the Royal United Services Institute have warned that leaving the plant under Russian control poses long-term risks to Europe.
Rosatom has been linked to abuses at occupied facilities, yet sanctions have focused only on some subsidiaries and individuals.
Europe’s dependence
Europe’s reliance on Russian nuclear fuel complicates tougher measures. Nearly one-fifth of EU reactors were built in the Soviet era and require specific fuel assemblies supplied by Rosatom.
According to the Bellona Environmental Foundation, EU imports of Russian nuclear fuel doubled in 2023 as operators stockpiled supplies, before falling in 2024.
The bloc spent about €1 billion annually on Russian uranium in both years.
“A comprehensive ban would force rapid, expensive, and politically painful procurement,” sanctions expert George Voloshin said.
Washington’s dilemma
The U.S. has also depended heavily on Russian enriched uranium. Imports were formally banned in August 2024, but waivers allow purchases until 2028 to avoid supply disruption.
President Donald Trump has pledged to rebuild America’s nuclear industry but has not tightened sanctions on Rosatom.
“All Russian-related sanctions and authorizations remain in effect,” a State Department spokesperson said.
Voloshin said the strongest option would be blocking sanctions on Rosatom itself, which would cut it off from global finance and “paralyze the corporation.”
For now, Rosatom continues to expand abroad, earning about $18 billion from overseas projects in 2024, even as the war drags on.
Sources: The Kyiv Independent, Bellona Environmental Foundation, IAEA, RUSI
