The nuclear icebreakers of project 1052 "Russia", "Soviet Union" and "Arctic" are awaiting decommissioning in the status of a "radiation source" after unloading nuclear fuel.
The icebreakers, built between 1971 and 1989, were part of Atomflot’s fleet. In 2014, it was decided to decommission the "Arctic" and "Russia" nuclear–powered ships, and in 2018 - the "Soviet Union" vessel.
Earlier, nuclear fuel and radioactive waste were unloaded from icebreaker reactors. In this regard, the classification of ships has changed from "nuclear installation" to "radiation source". Now the icebreakers are in cold storage.
The disposal of nuclear-powered ships decommissioned is expected by 2030, interfax.ru reports.
Alex Shishlo, Editor in Chief of the European Bureau, Rough&Polished
