Headline: American Nuclear Technology at Ukrainian Power Plant Off-Limits, US Warns Russia
The United States has cautioned Russia against interfering with sensitive American nuclear technology located at a nuclear power station in Ukraine. This warning was issued in a letter dispatched by the U.S. Department of Energy to Rosatom, Russia's state-run nuclear energy corporation, last month.
In the March 17, 2023 missive, which was scrutinized by international media, the Energy Department's Nonproliferation Policy chief, Andrea Ferkile, informed Rosatom's chief executive that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar houses U.S. nuclear technical data. This data is subject to American export controls, and its use could potentially compromise U.S. national security.
The letter's timing is significant, as Russian forces continue to maintain control over the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear power station. The facility, located in a region of Zaporizhzhia that Russia occupied after invading Ukraine, has been frequently disconnected from Ukraine's power grid due to heavy Russian artillery fire, sparking concerns over a possible nuclear incident.
Despite being physically operated by Ukrainian personnel, the plant is under Rosatom's management. Rosatom was warned in the letter that it would be illegal for any Russian individuals or firms to manipulate the U.S. technology.
The letter states, "It is illegal under U.S. law for unauthorized persons, including Russian citizens and entities like Rosatom and its subsidiaries, to access, possess, control, export, store, seize, review, re-export, ship, transfer, copy, or manipulate such technology or technical data without proper authorization from the U.S. Department of Energy."
According to the National Nuclear Security Administration of the Energy Department, the letter is authentic. Whether Rosatom has reacted to the warning remains unclear.
In an additional letter, dated October 24, 2022, Ferkile informed the Energy Department's Inspector General that the U.S. has exported certain technology to Ukraine for use in the Zaporizhzhia plant. She also reaffirmed that no authorization exists for this technology's transfer to any Russian individual or entity.
The Energy Department's Office of Nuclear Energy has been transparent about U.S. assistance to the plant. They announced in June 2021 that the U.S. had implemented new maintenance procedures and operational measures at the reactor to bolster Ukraine's energy security.