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The current concern with Russia is not that the United States will become involved in a nuclear war with Russia, but instead that Russia will not be able to adequately safeguard its nuclear arsenals.

A Russian shipyard. Source

Russia's aging nuclear submarine fleet is of constant concern. There are about 75 decommissioned nuclear submarines with full loads of fuel, and since each sub has two reactors that is almost 150 full reactors. The Russian government has estimated that it costs $6 to $10 million to dismantle each nuclear submarine. However, due to a catch in the Non-Proliferation Treaty, nuclear submarines could be sold instead of scrapped. Therefore it is important for the United States and the entire international community to provide aid to Russia to prevent the dissemination of their nuclear capabilities. Most of Russia's fleet awaiting dismantlement will only remain seaworthy for the next 15 years.

Construction of a storage facility in Mayak, Russia. Source

Perhaps Russia's greatest problem, besides lack of finances, is lack of long-term planning. Currently Russia does not have a centralized storage system, nor do they have a sufficient transportation system. Russia has no plans for a final method of disposition of the contaminated reactor compartments. Past Russian disposal has involved the dumping of low-level nuclear wastes into the sea, however, due to the London Dumping Convention, this will no longer be allowed. One current method of storage, which will not be available long-term is the use of storage ships as floating spent nuclear fuel storage facilities.

The U.S. has provided over $4 billion to its programs to support non-proliferation in the former Soviet Union under the Cooperative Nuclear Threat Program. The United States has sent support personal to help train the Russians to properly deal with the post-Cold War wastes. This money, however, is not applied to the upkeep and maintenance of the Russian equipment; therefore concerns exist with regard to the long-term ability of Russia to contract its nuclear arsenal. Japan, Norway, and the European Union also contribute financially.

*This information was taken from "Nonproliferation Assistance to the Former Soviet Union" and "Nuclear Submarine Dismantlement" at the Nuclear Threat Initiative website.

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