Russia’s nuclear industry celebrated its 80th anniversary on 20 August. In those years, Soviet and Russian nuclear scientists achieved remarkable developments. In 1954 in Obninsk the world’s first nuclear power plant was launched and went into operation in 1959. The world’s first nuclear icebreaker Lenin was launched in 1957. Since then, NPPs have been constructed in the USSR and abroad. Today the industry continues to develop in the fields of energy, medicine, new materials, quantum technology and space.
The theme of the anniversary is pride, inspiration, dream:
- Pride – for the feat of the founding scientists and engineers who, in the most difficult conditions, created the foundation of nuclear science and industry;
- Inspiration – achievements and records of past decades that serve as an example for new generations;
- Dream – future orientation, aspiration for new discoveries and technologies that will determine the development of humanity in the 21st century.
The culmination of the anniversary year will be international forum World Atomic Week, which will be held in Moscow from 25 to 28 September. Its programme will include an exhibition of the achievements of Rosatom and its partners, as well also the scientific and educational marathon of the All-Russian Society as well as the scientific and educational marathon of the All-Russian Society as well as the scientific and educational marathon of the All-Russian Society Znanie (Knowledge).
In his address to the industry Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said the industry was created during the most difficult times, immediately after the end of World War II. Its “birthday” was 20 August 1945, when the State Defence Committee of the USSR decided to organise a Special Committee and the First Main Directorate for the implementation of the Soviet nuclear project.
“In the shortest possible time, the first Soviet atomic bomb was created, and then an arsenal of weapons was gradually developed, which made it possible to establish nuclear parity,” he said. “The presence of a nuclear shield and its maintenance to this day guarantee the national sovereignty of the Russian Federation.”
However, “We weren’t the first to make an atomic bomb. But we became the first to build an industrial nuclear power plant and a nuclear icebreaker fleet. By solving the country’s security problems, our scientists were able to look into the future, stand one step ahead of the whole world and find opportunities for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.”
He continued: “Today the domestic nuclear industry sets the tone in the global nuclear technology market. We are a leader in the export construction of nuclear power plants and in the development of new technologies in nuclear energy, primarily in the implementation of low-power projects and the creation of fourth-generation nuclear power systems. Against the backdrop of growing external pressure on Russia, Rosatom is playing an increasingly important role in strengthening technological sovereignty. We offer the country our competencies in the development of new materials, the development of electromobility, the introduction of environmental solutions, the creation of high-tech equipment for medicine and advanced drugs for the treatment of the most complex diseases.”
The anniversary was marked with a large-scale gala held at the Nizhny Novgorod stadium. The event attracted about 30,000 spectators, including more than 20,000 employees of Rosatom enterprises. VTB Bank acted as a partner of the event. The celebration was attended by First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Chairman of the Rosatom Supervisory Board, Sergei Kiriyenko, as well as Likhachev and representatives of federal and regional authorities.
Before the gala festivities began, Sergei Kiriyenko read out congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin. It said: “Today, the nuclear industry rightfully personifies the technological power of Russia. The staff of the Rosatom state corporation preserves and enhances the creative traditions of its predecessors. You effectively solve problems aimed at introducing breakthrough technologies into key sectors of the economy, implementing infrastructure projects, modernising the nuclear icebreaker fleet, and making a significant contribution to space exploration. I am confident that you will continue to move forward, increase fundamental and applied research, and continue your course towards strengthening international cooperation.”
Kirienko praised the dedication of nuclear industry workers, which made it possible to survive the difficult 1990s and revive the nuclear one industry. He recalled that the employees of nuclear industry enterprises did not allow their enterprises to be taken away in the 90s they remained faithful to their career path, even when wages were not paid, sometimes for months “and it seemed that enterprises and the industry had no future”. He also praised the “absolutely unprecedented support and decisions made by management”.
He noted that, in 2007, during discussions on the establishment of Rosatom, President Putin was told by lawyers that such a move was unprecedented and contradicted existing legislation [which was in the process of privatising the nuclear industry]. “The President listened and said: yes, this has never happened. But there is only one nuclear industry in Russia. And he signed the law.” He concluded: “Our main wealth is people. People who have the courage to dream and the courage to achieve their dream. Because of that, the nuclear industry exists, develops and wins. Thank you for this. Thank you for this. Thank you for this.”
Introducing the gala event, Likhachev said: “I couldn’t find the words to describe it. This includes a concert, a performance, and footage from old newsreels and current reports.” The concert, with theatrical elements and performances, was directed by the People’s Artist of Russia, Igor Krutoy.
The gala had been in preparation since October 2024, involving the efforts of more than a thousand specialists. The set was designed as a metaphor for the birth of the Universe and provides for a 180-degree view, which allows each viewer to be part of the event. Almost all the music and lyrics were written specifically for the event. The programme included Russia’s leading artists and ended with a performance by soloists of the Bolshoi Theatre, who performed a new composition “Era of Dreamers” based on poems by Elizaveta Grinkevich and music by Igor Krutoy.
