![Illustration from Akkuyu Nuclear communications service photo by Bellona](https://network.bellona.org/content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/2024-05-2000_1400.jpg)
Bellona nuclear digest. May 2024
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
News
Publish date: June 4, 1999
Written by: Igor Kudrik
News
Japan has expressed an initiative to increase co-operation with Russia on nuclear submarine decommissioning in the Russian Far East. Japanese Foreign Minister, Masahiko Koumura, who visited Russia in the end of May, talked this proposal over with his Russian counterpart, Igor Ivanov. The Russian side was reportedly positive to the initiative despite a controversial treason case orchestrated by the Security Police (FSB) in Vladivostok.
Japan started its nuclear safety assistance to Russia by pledging $100 million in April 1993. A part of this contribution was spent to build a mobile floating liquid waste processing facility, which is now reportedly completed and commissioned at Zvezda naval yard near Vladivostok.
A new comprehensive plan brought up by Japan suggests conducting feasibility studies for the following projects:
Until now, the United States Department of Defence was the most active in assisting the Russian Pacific Fleet to dismantle old nuclear submarines. The projects were carried out through Co-operative Threat Reduction program.
Proposal accepted despite spy case
The Russian officials had no problem in accepting Japanese proposal despite a controversial spy case now in court in Vladivostok. A military journalist, Grigory Pasko, stands charged with treason for divulging information on radiation hazards associated with operation of the Pacific Fleet. The journalist faces up to 12 years in prison on charges put forward by the FSB. Pasko’s defence team says the charges are unfounded and fabricated.
A survey of events in the field of nuclear and radiation safety relating to Russia and Ukraine.
But it’s unlikely to impact emissions from shipping along the Northern Sea Route.
In this news digest, we monitor events that impact the environment in the Russian Arctic. Our focus lies in identifying the factors that contribute to pollution and climate change.
The following op-ed, written by Bellona’s Charles Digges, originally appeared in The Moscow Times. In recent months, the Russian nuclear in...