• Nuclear Pulse — May 31, 2026
  • This week in international nuclear news
    • Zaporizhzhya Drone Attack: Moscow and Kyiv Trade Accusations
    • Russia Signs $16.5 Billion Nuclear Deal with Kazakhstan
    • Rwanda-Russia Nuclear Agreement — Africa’s Energy Balance Shifting
    • Rosatom’s Rough Spring: Armenia Drifts, Europe Hesitates, China Steps In
    • South Korea: Shin Hanul Unit 4 Construction Begins
    • USA: Cold War Plutonium into Nuclear Fuel
    • SMRs and New Nuclear Projects Across America
    • Floating Nuclear Plants: Russia & Greece
    • Uranium Market & Nuclear Fuel Supply
    • Chernobyl at 40: A New Nuclear Era?
    • IAEA: Advanced Nuclear Fuels & Fukushima
    • Data Centers & Nuclear Energy
    • Other Notable News

§Nuclear Pulse — May 31, 2026

§This week in international nuclear news

§Zaporizhzhya Drone Attack: Moscow and Kyiv Trade Accusations

The biggest story this week was an alleged drone attack on the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Russia — through Rosatom — claims a Ukrainian drone struck the plant’s turbine hall. Kyiv firmly denies this, calling it “nuclear blackmail” by Russia. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed deep concern and warned of a “pattern” of attacks on nuclear facilities. The IAEA demanded access to assess damage. The incident highlights that nuclear facilities in war zones remain a serious safety risk.

§Russia Signs $16.5 Billion Nuclear Deal with Kazakhstan

Putin secured a major diplomatic victory in Central Asia as Russia and Kazakhstan finalized a $16.5 billion agreement to build Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant. Rosatom will construct the 2.4 GW facility. Concurrently, the IAEA chief visited Kazakhstan to expand nuclear cooperation in science, energy, and cancer care. Kazakhstan also offered to take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile as part of US-Iran negotiations.

§Rwanda-Russia Nuclear Agreement — Africa’s Energy Balance Shifting

Rwanda and Russia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement, reflecting Africa’s changing power dynamics. The deal is part of a broader Russian strategy to build nuclear influence across Africa through Rosatom.

§Rosatom’s Rough Spring: Armenia Drifts, Europe Hesitates, China Steps In

The Bellona Foundation reports a “rough spring” for Rosatom. Armenia is pivoting away from Russian nuclear technology, Europe remains uncertain about its Russian uranium dependence, and China is taking an ever-larger role in the global nuclear supply chain. In Switzerland, Greenpeace reports that Russian uranium still fuels Swiss nuclear plants.

§South Korea: Shin Hanul Unit 4 Construction Begins

First concrete was poured for the Shin Hanul Unit 4 reactor building, officially launching construction. South Korea continues expanding its nuclear capacity.

§USA: Cold War Plutonium into Nuclear Fuel

The Trump administration plans to convert Cold War weapons-grade plutonium into commercial nuclear fuel. The DOE selected five companies for negotiations on taking excess US plutonium. Scientific American and other experts warn the plan is risky — using weapons-grade material for commercial purposes raises serious safety and proliferation concerns. Separately, NANO Nuclear Energy’s subsidiary Secured Transportation Services completed three DOE/NNSA nuclear transport missions.

§SMRs and New Nuclear Projects Across America

Multiple US states see momentum for small modular reactors and new nuclear projects:

• Utah: The $20 billion Blue Castle nuclear project restarts after 19 years with a new partnership. SMRs planned for Utah’s small towns.
• Nebraska: The state evaluates new nuclear capacity — promising but challenging.
• New Jersey: Assembly committee advanced legislation for advanced nuclear energy development.
• Iowa: Nuclear Energy Task Force finalizes its report for state lawmakers.
• Texas A&M: RELLIS campus builds the future of nuclear energy.
• Wyoming: TerraPower plans to house 1,600 workers for the Kemmerer construction.

§Floating Nuclear Plants: Russia & Greece

Russia manufactured its first RITM-200 reactor unit for its floating nuclear power plant fleet. A new study suggests floating nuclear plants could provide clean energy for Greek islands — World Nuclear News calls the concept “realistic.”

§Uranium Market & Nuclear Fuel Supply

• Canada’s nuclear expansion depends on domestic enrichment capacity — a critical bottleneck per Policy Options.
• A new US enrichment facility could boost nuclear fuel supply.
• India is ready to buy large quantities of Canadian uranium and invest in mines — per India’s High Commissioner.
• Visual Capitalist ranked the world’s top uranium producers and who controls global uranium reserves.
• TSX-listed uranium stocks are surging amid the nuclear renaissance.
• Iran’s trump card in nuclear talks: its highly enriched uranium stockpile. US-Iran negotiations center on “nuclear dust” removal.

§Chernobyl at 40: A New Nuclear Era?

Both the South China Morning Post and World Nuclear News covered the 40th anniversary of Chernobyl. The question: is the world entering a new nuclear era? WNN launched a podcast series on the topic, showcasing the zone’s wildlife, scientific research, and the accident’s impact on the global nuclear industry.

§IAEA: Advanced Nuclear Fuels & Fukushima

The IAEA launched a new research project supporting advanced nuclear fuel development. An IAEA-led mission conducted water sampling at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. Meanwhile, the IAEA reported the longest-ever communications outage at the Zaporizhzhya plant.

§Data Centers & Nuclear Energy

Growing electricity demand — especially from AI data centers — continues to drive nuclear industry interest. Pennsylvania’s governor unveiled a plan for data centers to bring their own power. Ohio and Pennsylvania are looking to nuclear energy for data centers. 24/7 Wall St. states: “nuclear power is the only real answer to AI’s power needs.”

§Other Notable News

• The US Navy is testing the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier’s nuclear power to supply Naval Station Norfolk.
• EDF highlighted the positive impacts of Hinkley Point C.
• The ITER magnet test facility began operations.
• The ANS Annual Conference awards national honors in 2026.
• NANO Nuclear Energy acquired Secured Transportation Services for $13 million.
• The nuclear industry gained new momentum — and with it, efforts to recycle radioactive waste are intensifying (WSJ).

Sources: World Nuclear News, Reuters, IAEA, ANS Nuclear Newswire, Bellona Foundation, Scientific American, Fox News, Al Jazeera, SCMP, and other international news agencies.