Construction sites. The first phase of concrete pouring for the inner cavity of the BREST-OD-300 reactor vessel has been completed at the 4th-generation Pilot-Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC) in Seversk, Russia. This work is part of the “Proryv” (“the Breakthrough”) project and is scheduled for completion by winter 2027. The BREST-OD-300 is an unparalleled lead-cooled fast neutron reactor. Its pressure vessel combines steel and concrete structures: the interior houses cavities for the core and primary circuit equipment, while the concrete between them serves as a load-bearing structural element, as well as thermal and radiation shielding. In 2026, piping installation was also completed at the site, connecting the central and four peripheral cavities of the vessel to form the primary circuit of the future facility. The “Proryv” project aims to develop next-generation nuclear energy systems based on a closed nuclear fuel cycle. This technology enables the recycling of spent nuclear fuel, which will reduce the demand for natural uranium and minimize the accumulation of spent fuel.

IAEA. Rosatom has taken part in the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna. Speaking at the plenary session, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev highlighted the growing global interest in nuclear energy and national plans to expand nuclear capacity, while emphasizing the critical role of the IAEA amid ongoing security risks to nuclear facilities. He also met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi on the sidelines of the conference. The primary focus of their discussion was nuclear safety and physical security of the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant, as well as the situation in the host city of Energodar. Likhachev noted a sharp escalation at the plant site and in its host city since late April, resulting in 20 fatalities and over 100 injuries. Rafael Grossi reaffirmed his personal commitment and that of the IAEA Secretariat to engaging with Russia to ensure the plant’s security. Rosatom’s participation in the General Conference includes a business program and an exhibition booth showcasing small modular reactors, Generation IV technologies, data center solutions, and the company’s expertise in workforce training.

Cooperation. Rosatom participated in the INNOPROM.India international industrial exhibition. The Russian nuclear corporation’s booth featured solutions in additive manufacturing, composite materials, digitalization, and logistics. A model of a VVER-1200 power unit and the first Russian-developed 3D scanner localized for the Indian market drew particular attention from visitors. Rosatom also showcased the large-format electron-beam 3D printer RusBeam 2800, a system the company recently supplied to the Indian space center. The business program also featured discussions on establishing a joint additive manufacturing ecosystem in India, including local production, cooperation in rare-earth magnets and materials, and opportunities for joint projects with Indian partners involving titanium, zirconium, hafnium, and calcium. The Giredmet Institute and the Indian company Alt Metals signed a contract to establish a pilot production facility for titanium sponge. Additionally, the JET Engineering and Technical Center signed a distribution agreement with Syngient Technologies for the Repeat Vision platform, alongside a memorandum of understanding with EM Services covering the digitalization, maintenance, and modernization of power facilities.

Construction sites. Rosatom and Kazakhstan Nuclear Power Plants LLP (KNPP) have signed an EPC contract for the construction of a nuclear generation facility near Lake Balkhash in Kazakhstan. The power plant will have two VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 MW. As the leader of the international consortium, Rosatom will deliver a turnkey project, taking over engineering, equipment procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover to the customer. “The signed document marks a new stage in our cooperation with Kazakhstan. In the near future, Rosatom will do the engineering part of the project and establish an international consortium of equipment suppliers. Throughout every stage of the project, we strictly follow our primary objective of building and commissioning power units that meet the most stringent international safety and efficiency requirements,” said Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. Engineering surveys have been underway near the future plant site since August 2025, with over 60 boreholes drilled and numerous samples extracted and tested to select the optimal location of the power units. The site investigation work will be completed in 2027, which will be followed by the preparation of documentation to obtain construction permits for the reactors.

Cooperation. Rosatom acted as an official partner and a key contributor to the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) held in Vladivostok, Russia. At a session dedicated to the energy self-sufficiency of the Russian Far East, Andrey Petrov, Rosatom’s First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, announced the company was ready to reduce the commissioning timeline for the first unit of the Primorskaya Nuclear Power Plant (to be built in the region) by two years compared to the standard schedule. The construction pace will be accelerated through the use of a standardized design, streamlined construction workflows, and digital management tools. The plant’s design provides for two power units from the outset: the first will cover the region’s current electricity needs, while the second will be a reserve for the further development of Primorsky Krai. The development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) was also discussed at the forum. Rosatom representatives emphasized the need for a specialized high-ice-class fleet for year-round navigation in the eastern Arctic sector, the advancement of ice reconnaissance, and the maintenance of stable tariffs for icebreaker escorts. The forum was also presented with the environmental monitoring results for the NSR waters: research conducted since 2021 has revealed no negative impact of shipping on marine ecosystems.

Training. An IAEA Interregional Training Course on Leadership and Safety has concluded at the Rosatom Technical Academy in Moscow. The course was attended by 22 professionals from 17 countries, representing regulatory bodies, nuclear agencies, operating organizations, and research institutes. The program focused on the impact of management decisions and leadership actions on safety. The attendees benchmarked the requirements of the IAEA GSR Part 2 standard against their organizations’ practices, analyzed real-world scenarios, and explored leadership approaches in multicultural environments. Special attention was paid to fostering a safety culture prior to the commissioning of nuclear power plants, including personnel training and qualification, knowledge retention, and engagement with suppliers during the construction phase. The Rosatom Technical Academy has been an IAEA Collaborating Center since 2019; throughout this partnership, it has hosted over 80 international events for more than 2,100 participants.