Russia reports its 2012 civilian plutonium stock

Russia submitted its annual declaration that contains data on its holdings of civilian plutonium - INFCIRC/549/Add.9/15. According to the declaration, as of the end of 2012 Russia had 50.7 tonnes of unirradiated separated plutonium, 1.2 tonnes more than was declared in 2011.

Of this amount, 49,200 kg is stored at the reprocessing plant, an increase of 1,100 kg over the 2011 amount. Other reported amounts of separated plutonium are: 300 kg is in unirradiated MOX fuel held at reactor sites and elsewhere, and 1,200 kg is "held elsewhere" (an increase over 1,100 kg in 2011). Of the total amount of 50.7 tonnes, 0.3 kg of plutonium belongs to "foreign bodies". Also, Russia owns 0.6 kg of plutonium that is "held in locations in other countries". This amount is not included in the total.

In addition, Russia has 77,500 kg of plutonium in spent fuel that is stored at reactor sites, 4,500 kg - in spent fuel that is awaiting reprocessing at the reprocessing plant, and 53,500 kg - in spent fuel "held elsewhere". As of end of 2011, these numbers were 75,500 kg, 4,000 kg, and 51,500 kg respectively. Overall, Russia had 135.5 tonnes of plutonium still in spent fuel as of December 31, 2012, up 4.5 tonnes from December 2011.