An analysis conducted by DiXi Group experts indicates that the Russian state-owned corporation “Rosatom” plays a significantly broader role than its officially declared activities in the field of civil nuclear energy. The corporation is a key component of the technological and industrial base of the Russian military-industrial complex and is involved in the development, production, and technological support of various types of weapons.
In particular, every year Rosatom reports 100% fulfillment of the state defense order, which has only increased since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, and serves as the foundation for the production and maintenance of Russia’s nuclear weapons.
However, archival data and open sources indicate that Rosatom’s key scientific institutes, particularly the RFNC-VNIIEF, have long been involved in the development of conventional weapons systems. The warheads and components they have developed are used in a number of systems actively deployed by the Russian military, particularly in the war against Ukraine.
Rosatom’s enterprises are also involved in the industrial ecosystem for the development of unmanned systems and counter-UAV technologies. These areas include the creation of drone detection systems, the development of components for UAVs, and participation in the testing of these systems.
A separate area of the corporation’s activities is its participation in the development and production of strategic materials and dual-use technologies. These include composite materials, rare-earth metals, zirconium- and hafnium-based alloys, fiber-optic technologies, and other materials that can be used in rocket technology, aviation, electronics, and other sectors of the defense industry. Through import substitution programs, Rosatom helps reduce Russia’s dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors.
The corporation also plays an important role in the field of digital engineering technologies. Rosatom develops software platforms for engineering simulation, product lifecycle management systems, and high-performance computing software that can be used in the development of complex technical systems, including weapons and military equipment. The reverse engineering service created by Rosatom’s enterprises can facilitate the replication and substitution of Western-origin technologies and components, including those used in military equipment.
In addition, Rosatom actively cooperates with research institutions, industrial enterprises, and government agencies involved in the development of dual-use technologies. Some of these partners are already subject to sanctions, so Rosatom’s involvement could serve as a meansof circumventing the restrictions in place. This cooperation encompasses the production of composite materials for aviation, engine development, and other technological areas of significance to the military-industrial complex.
Overall, Rosatom’s activities demonstrate a high level of integration into the Russian military-industrial complex. The combination of scientific research, materials production, digital engineering technologies, and industrial cooperation enables this state-owned corporation to provide technological support for the development of Russian military programs.
Given the established facts of Rosatom’s involvement in supporting the Russian military-industrial complex, it is proposed to consider the possibility of imposing the following restrictive measures:
- Suspend existing joint projects and ventures with Rosatom and its subsidiaries/affiliates, and prohibit the initiation of new ones. The fulfillment of existing contracts should be phased out gradually, depending on the parties’ technological readiness for diversification, with clear deadlines set for their completion;
- Impose sanctions against Rosatom’s subsidiaries and affiliates that directly or indirectly support the Russian Federation’s military-industrial complex, in particular through their involvement in the production of conventional weapons and military technologies (see Annex I);
- Impose sanctions on Rosatom enterprises that procure dual-use goods that could be used in military programs (see Annex II);
- Apply targeted restrictive measures against individuals holding executive or supervisory positions at Rosatom and its subsidiaries who are involved in supporting the Russian military-industrial complex (see Annex III).
This material was prepared with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation as part of the “Strengthening the Resilience of Ukraine’s Energy Sector” project. The material reflects the authors’ views and does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Renaissance Foundation.