IAEA Russia review finds strong nuclear regulator, gaps remain

An IAEA Russia review found a strong, independent nuclear safety regulator, but the experts also named areas that need work.

International experts spent 13 days examining how Russia regulates nuclear and radiation safety. The Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission ran from October 25 to November 6, and the Russian government had requested it.

Who carried out the IAEA Russia review

Rostechnadzor, Russia’s nuclear supervision service, hosted the mission. The team included 21 senior regulatory experts from 17 member states, three IAEA staff and two observers.

Faizan Mansoor, an adviser to the Government of Pakistan, led the mission. IAEA Deputy Director General Karine Herviou also praised Russia’s role in international nuclear safety initiatives and in shaping global standards.

The experts compared Russian regulations with IAEA safety standards. Inspectors went through official documents and spoke to regulators. They also toured a nuclear power plant, fuel and research sites, a medical centre and a waste storage site.

Earlier IAEA assessments took place in 2009 and 2013, so this mission could track changes since then.

What the IAEA Russia review praised

The team rated Russia’s compliance with international standards as good. Its report called the regulator competent and experienced in supervising complex operations.

Experts praised Russia’s systematic approach to updating national rules for existing plants and new technologies. They also noted that the government treats nuclear safety as a national priority.

Several practices drew positive attention. Examples included efforts to attract younger professionals to safety regulation and the work to modernise the legal framework.

The experts also liked Russia’s safety classification system for equipment in fuel cycle facilities. In addition, they welcomed the inclusion of industrial safety in inspections of decommissioning work.

Recommendations for improvement

The review also found weaknesses that could limit the regulator as the nuclear programme grows. Experts urged better coordination between the authorities that supervise nuclear energy.

They recommended regular updates to workforce development plans and a fuller integrated management system. In addition, they asked for formal training and qualification rules for inspectors that cover technical knowledge, human factors and organisational duties.

Russia runs one of the largest and most varied nuclear programmes in the world. Reactors produced about 18.7 percent of its electricity in 2025, and plans call for 25 percent by 2045. The IAEA Russia review matters because of that expansion.

Moreover, the country is also working on fast neutron designs, small modular units and floating plants. Those technologies add fresh duties for regulators.

Reactions to the findings

Rostechnadzor chairman Alexander Trembitsky said Russia invited the experts to give an impartial assessment. In his view, the recommendations offer useful openings to strengthen oversight.

Mansoor recognised that Russia stresses nuclear safety at the top of government. The IAEA will send its final report, with detailed recommendations, to the Russian government.

For now, the IAEA Russia review gives Russia a roadmap, and it shows how peer reviews can help countries raise nuclear safety standards. These standards lay down principles that protect people and the environment from radiation harm.