Russia-Ukraine War: April 18, 2023 Updates
The United States firmly warns Russia: Stay away from the sensitive nuclear technology at Ukraine‘s Zaporizhzhia plant. A letter from the U.S. Department of Energy to Rosatom,Russia’s state-owned nuclear firm,makes the U.S. position clear. The U.S. cites export controls on this American technology—that its use could compromise U.S. national security. The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest, is under Russian control, with Ukrainian staff still managing it. News Directory 3 is following developments. Discover what ramifications from Russia’s next move.
US Warns Russia: Don’t Touch Nuclear Tech at Ukraine Plant
Updated May 26, 2025
The United States has issued a stern warning to Russia regarding sensitive nuclear technology located at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. According to a letter from the U.S. Department of Energy to Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy firm, the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and will not tolerate any interference with the technology.
The letter, dated March 17, 2023, and reviewed by CNN, explicitly states that the Zaporizhzhia plant contains U.S.-origin nuclear technical data subject to U.S. export controls. Andrea Ferkile, director of the Energy Department’s Office of Nonproliferation Policy, addressed the letter to Rosatom’s director general, emphasizing the importance of adhering to these controls.
U.S. export controls are implemented to prevent the use of goods, software, and technology in ways that could compromise U.S. national security interests. The Energy Department’s warning comes as Russian forces maintain control of the Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe. The plant’s location in a Russian-occupied region has led to frequent disconnections from Ukraine’s power grid due to shelling,raising concerns about a potential nuclear accident.
While Ukrainian staff continue to operate the plant, Rosatom manages its operations. The Energy Department’s letter makes it clear that it is indeed “unlawful” for russian citizens or entities to handle the U.S. technology without authorization.
CNN has reached out to Rosatom for comment but has not yet received a response. The energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Governance confirmed the authenticity of the letter in a statement to CNN.
Another letter, dated October 24, 2022, from Ferkile to the Energy Department’s Inspector General, outlines the specific technology the U.S. has exported to Ukraine for use at the Zaporizhzhia plant. It reiterates that the department has ”no record of any current authorization to transfer this technology and technical data to any Russian national or entity.”
The Energy Department’s Office of Nuclear Energy has publicly acknowledged U.S. support for the plant. In June 2021, the office stated on its website that “the United States helped implement new maintenance procedures and operations at the reactor that should ultimately strengthen energy security” in ukraine.
What’s next
The situation remains tense as international observers continue to monitor the Zaporizhzhia plant. the U.S. warning underscores the potential consequences Russia faces if it disregards U.S.export controls and attempts to tamper with the sensitive nuclear technology at the facility. The focus now shifts to whether Rosatom will respond to the U.S. concerns and ensure the safety and security of the plant’s operations.