In 2025, Russia’s nuclear industry is celebrating its 80th anniversary. On August 20, 1945, a special committee was established to explore the potential of atomic energy. In response to the threat posed by the United States, Russia developed its own nuclear weapon in four years. The USSR became the pioneer and global leader in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Soviet atomic scientists constructed the world’s first NPP in Obninsk in 1954. The first nuclear icebreaker was developed in 1969 to help conquerors of the Arctic.

Today, Rosatom remains dedicated to the development and deployment of innovative technologies across diverse sectors, thereby bolstering the technological sovereignty of Russia and its partners. Rosatom not only constructs nuclear power plants, providing clean energy to hundreds of millions of people in dozens of countries worldwide, but also supports the logistics framework of the Northern Sea Route, produces new materials, develops and manufactures pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine, and introduces quantum technologies.

Rosatom is a leading global player in nuclear and related technologies. The state-owned corporation operates in more than 60 countries, having contracts for new nuclear including the construction of 33 units in ten different countries and the world’s first export project to construct an SMR-based nuclear power plant with six reactors in Uzbekistan. Rosatom ranks first in the world in uranium enrichment services, second in uranium reserves, and third in the production of uranium and nuclear fuel.

The central theme of this anniversary year is Empowering Better Future. Nuclear scientists are proud of the feats of the industry trailblazers, being inspired by the success of past generations and striving to expand the limits of what is possible by venturing into uncharted territories.

The 80th anniversary of the industry will be celebrated with a series of events culminating in the World Atomic Week international forum, which will be held in Moscow this fall.