Hetq Media Factory has examined the challenges related to the management of radioactive waste in Armenia. The film explores the complex, important, and sensitive issue of radioactive waste and environmental safety in the country. Over decades, radioactive waste has accumulated in Armenia, making it essential for the country to take serious steps toward its long-term management, safe storage, and the mitigation of risks to public health and the environment. Through interviews with experts from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, the documentary analyses the challenges Armenia faces. It presents the current state of the country’s so-called “radioactive legacy,” highlighting issues related to waste storage, associated risks, responsibilities, as well as decisions that have been made, but remain unimplemented, and relevant international practices. By drawing attention to an often overlooked issue, the film underscores the urgent need for open discussions and concrete solutions regarding radioactive waste management, environmental protection, transparency, and the future of nuclear energy in Armenia.
“A new station installed on the Armenian-Iranian border allows recording any changes with an accuracy of seconds. Despite the tensions in the Middle East and the missile strikes on Iran, the radiation situation in Armenia remains stable.” In a conversation with Sputnik Armenia, Karen Haroyan, Chief Specialist for Radiation Safety at Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, assured that all monitoring stations across the country conduct 24-hour surveillance. “Armenia operates a modern radiation monitoring system consisting of 32 stations. They are mainly located in settlements within a 10–12 km radius of the Armenian nuclear power plant. However, taking into account the regional situation, another station was installed on the Armenian–Iranian border in 2025.” Following Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, reports emerged about “black” or “acid rain” falling in parts of Iran. WHO has warned that the presence of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere is extremely dangerous. Attacks on nuclear facilities could also pose a risk of nuclear radiation for Iran.
A Technical Workshop was held in Armenia within the framework of the project “Nuclear Safety Regulatory Cooperation with the Armenian Regulator,” with the participation of experts from ANRA and NRSC, as well as the Consortium led by IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture S.A.U. (Spain). The workshop aimed to review the progress of the ongoing projects, present the results of completed activities, and define next steps for implementation. During the event, participants presented and discussed action plans for the transposition of selected WENRA Safety Reference Levels and key Euratom Directives into Armenia’s legislative and regulatory framework. These included the Drinking Water Directive (Euratom 2013/51), the Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive (2013/59/Euratom), and Directive (2006/117/Euratom) on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel. These approximation efforts are carried out in line with Armenia’s obligations under the EU–Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the broader objective of systematically aligning national legislation with relevant EU requirements. In addition, the Consortium conducted and presented the results of a regulatory review of safety-related documentation, including the Level 2 Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) for internal initiating events. The evaluation of seismic safety enhancement measures, the implementation of hydrogen passive autocatalytic recombiners, and the full-scope simulator were also presented and discussed in detail. The findings were reviewed jointly with ANRA and NRSC specialists, enabling in-depth technical exchange and clarification of key aspects related to safety improvements at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant. The workshop contributed to strengthening the national regulatory framework, enhancing the technical expertise and analytical capacity of ANRA and NRSC specialists, and further aligning Armenia’s nuclear and radiation safety system with European and international standards.
The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NRSC) has successfully carried out the safe removal, transportation, and long-term storage of a disused high-activity cobalt-60 (Co-60) teletherapy source from the National Centre for Oncology named after V. A. Fanarjyan. NRSC specialists led the operation, ensuring comprehensive planning and coordination, radiation safety oversight, regulatory compliance, and full documentation throughout all phases of the process. The activity was implemented within the framework of international cooperation aimed at reducing radiological risks and strengthening the secure management of high-activity radioactive sources. The disused teletherapy head was safely dismantled, handled, securely packaged, and transported under enhanced physical protection measures to the facilities of “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC, where it was placed into long-term storage. Radiation monitoring conducted before, during, and after the operation confirmed the absence of radiological contamination and demonstrated that occupational exposure levels remained well below established regulatory limits. The operation was carried out through close coordination among the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ANRA), “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, and partners from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Radiological Security. This successful operation highlights NRSC’s central role in ensuring nuclear and radiological safety in Armenia and contributes to the mitigation of potential radiological hazards through the safe and secure management of radioactive sources.
As previously reported, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, with the support of European and American partners, has transported 40 high-activity radioactive sources from the Ashtarak Institute of Physical Research to the storage facilities of the “Radioactive Waste Management” CJSC.The process was organised in accordance with international safety standards, ensuring the safe collection, packaging and transportation of the sources.This initiative is another important step in improving Armenia’s radiation safety and applying international best practices. Watch the report by Armenian Public TV.
NRSC specialists transferred 40 cobalt-60 (Co-60) radioisotopic sources from the Institute for Physical Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia to the Radioactive Waste Management CJSC for secure storage. Representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, as well as the relevant departments of the National Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, also took part in the operation. High-activity radioactive sources dating back to the Soviet era had long been stored in a bunker at the Institute for Physical Research. As they were no longer in use, it became necessary to move them to a safe storage facility. This was the first operation of its kind ever carried out in Armenia. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre developed a comprehensive plan for removing the sources from the bunker and transporting them in compliance with the highest safety standards. The NRSC worked in cooperation with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, whose experts were invited to Armenia to provide technical review and consultation. An important partner in the operation was the Institute of Isotopes (Hungary), whose specialists designed and manufactured the special loading/storage container used for the Co-60 sources. Hungarian experts participated directly in the removal activities, working alongside NRSC professionals to ensure the safe packaging, handling, and transfer of the radioactive materials. Preparatory work included a detailed site inspection, assessment of required materials and equipment, and development of a detailed safety plan. Particular attention was paid to minimising risks during the removal process — both for personnel and for the environment. The operation aimed to reduce potential radiation risks and ensure the protection of the local population and the environment. All activities were carried out in accordance with international safety standards, fully meeting technical and environmental requirements. This initiative marks an important step toward strengthening public safety and expanding international cooperation in the nuclear field.
Specialists from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre (NRSC) participated in the 66th Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM), held on August 24–28, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The international gathering brought together more than 600 nuclear professionals—policymakers, scientists, regulators, and engineers—from around the world to discuss innovations and challenges in the safe, secure, and effective management of nuclear and radioactive materials. During the event, NRSC experts delivered two technical presentations. Ms. Arpi Khachatryan presented “Development and Assessment of Packaging Design for the Safe Dismantlement, Transportation, and Storage of High-Activity Radioactive Sources from an Irradiator Facility.” Her talk highlighted Armenia’s successful work on the removal of disused Co-60 sources from the K-120000 irradiator. She presented an innovative packaging solution, developed in collaboration with partners from Hungary and the Czech Republic, which ensures safe and compliant transport to Armenia’s national storage facility. Mr. Karen Haroyan presented a “Case Study on a Radiation Emergency in Armenia with Significant Contamination and Radiological Consequences.” He reviewed the 2009 incident detected at the Armenian-Georgian border, detailing the multi-agency emergency response, radiological assessment, and subsequent recovery operations. The case study underscored the importance of coordinated response mechanisms and highlighted the regulatory improvements introduced in Armenia since the incident. NRSC’s participation at INMM 2025 reaffirms Armenia’s commitment to international cooperation, regulatory advancement, and the continuous enhancement of nuclear and radiation safety practices. The conference also provided a valuable platform for exchanging technical expertise, exploring emerging technologies, and engaging with the global nuclear security community.
Specialists from Armenia’s Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center (NRSC) participated in the Nuclear Forensics Technical Exchange, held on August 20–22 at Argonne National Laboratory, in Lemont, (Illinois, the US). The international event brought together experts to discuss radioactive source registries, field data collection, and the development of National Nuclear Forensics Libraries (NNFLs). Armenia was represented by Ms. Arpi Khachatryan, Mr. Karen Haroyan, and Ms. Anahit Petoyan. During the program, Ms. Petoyan, a PhD student at NRSC, delivered a presentation titled “Towards Accurate Quantification of Non-Homogeneous Swipe Samples in Gamma Spectrometry.” Her research addressed challenges in analyzing heterogeneous contamination and proposed methods to improve measurement accuracy in nuclear forensics investigations. The program combined theoretical discussions—such as the expansion of the xARIS platform developed by NRSC and the outcomes of the ISTC cooperation project—with hands-on sessions using Argonne’s NNFL toolkit, field detection instruments, and integrated registry software. Such exchange of experience is an important step in developing nuclear forensics capabilities in Armenia, contributing to the creation of a National Nuclear Forensic Library.
Nuclear infrastructure is a target for cyberattacks because it relies on digital systems. Hacktivists, cybercriminals, and terrorists are all potential threats to nuclear power plant security. Risks can also arise from outdated systems, poor maintenance, and weak security practices. From September 15 to 18, 2025, a nuclear cybersecurity workshop was held in Yerevan, jointly organised by the Armenian Nuclear Regulatory Committee, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The workshop brought together national and international experts with the aim of enhancing cybersecurity in the nuclear sector, promoting knowledge exchange, and supporting collaboration to ensure a more secure and resilient nuclear infrastructure. Participants included representatives from the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant CJSC, Radioactive Waste Management (RADON) CJSC, as well as from the National Security Service, the Ministry of Defence, and the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia. Such initiatives are important not only for developing technical capacities but also for fostering coordinated collaboration among various governmental and private-sector stakeholders. Ensuring the cybersecurity of nuclear infrastructure requires a unified approach, up-to-date solutions, and continuous training. As a result of the workshop, the parties agreed to continue sharing experience and strengthening professional cooperation aimed at enhancing national capabilities and integrating international best practices into Armenia’s nuclear sector.
Satine Vardanyan, Leading Specialist of the Radiological Laboratory of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Centre, participated in the Technical Meeting of the Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources Network (DSRS-Net) organised by the IAEA. The purpose of this meeting was to promote international cooperation in the field of safe management of disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRS) among member states. During the meeting, both the organisers and participants delivered presentations, sharing their experiences in DSRS management. IAEA experts presented the ongoing programs in this field, professional forums and platforms, as well as various IAEA electronic tools (eTools) developed to support member states in strengthening their capacities in this area. More detailed information was provided on the different professional forums included in the IAEA Network. They aim to create a joint platform for member states, where national capabilities and experiences in the field can be presented and shared, problematic issues discussed, and international best practices explored in collaboration with experts from other countries as well as relevant IAEA specialists. Through these platforms, member states can also access IAEA support within the framework of various programs. The forums are intended to bring together experts, regulatory bodies, operators, and research institutions, thereby fostering knowledge exchange and the application of international best practices. The representative of the NRSC presented Armenia’s experience and professional potential in the management of disused sealed radioactive sources. Such meetings are important as they contribute to cooperation with international experts, knowledge sharing, discussions, and the creation of opportunities for joint initiatives. For Armenia, these opportunities are especially important, as the country has accumulated spent nuclear fuel over the years, for which urgent steps are required to ensure long-term and safe management.
