The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty, Kazakhstan began tests of LEU fuel for its VVR-K reactor. The fuel, VVR-KN, was developed with Russia's assistance at the NPO Luch. According to the director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the institute began irradiation of the first three fuel assemblies. The tests are expected to be completed in the spring of 2013.

Earlier, the United States and Russia assisted Kazakhstan with removing fresh and spent HEU fuel from the reactor site.