In a cluster of companies tied to the Russian state atomic energy agency Rosatom, a fatal accident occurred at a nuclear fuel facility. The event took place in the Ural Mountains, roughly 1,600 kilometers east of Moscow. Rosatom stated via its Telegram channel that the incident was detected promptly and did not pose any risk to the general population. The message underscored that the emergency response was swift and that authorities were monitoring the situation as a precautionary measure.
Officials reported that a cylinder containing approximately one cubic meter of depleted uranium shattered on Friday morning at the Ural Electrochemical Combination. According to the briefing, a worker who was subjected to intense pressure suffered fatal injuries. After health checks, remaining staff were sent home, and authorities affirmed that the lives and health of others on site were not in danger. The incident prompted a broader review of safety protocols and industrial controls at the facility.
The article explains that depleted uranium carries slightly less than 60 percent of the radioactivity of natural uranium, and measurements did not show any rise in ambient radiation levels. Investigators are examining how the depressurization of the uranium containment occurred and what factor contributed to the failure. The Ural Electrochemical Combination sits in the closed city of Novouralsk, about 50 kilometers northwest of Yekaterinburg. The plant has historical significance for Russian nuclear material production, having helped produce the first Soviet nuclear fuel. In the present structure of Russia’s nuclear sector, Rosatom oversees both construction and operation of nuclear power facilities, maintaining a central role in the country’s atomic energy landscape.