Rosatom-linked cos seek ways to take part in Lithuanian N-plant projects – intelligence

VILNIUS – Rosatom and companies linked to the Russia state nuclear energy corporation are seeking involvement in the decommissioning processes of Lithuania's Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) and are looking for ways to participate in its projects for dismantling the first and second reactors and other systems, according to Lithuanian intelligence agencies.

Rosatom's companies understand that they will not be allowed to participate directly in the projects due to national security concerns, and are therefore seeking to get involved through contacts with Lithuanian companies that have in the past cooperated with the Russian nuclear giant, the State Security Department and the Second Investigation Department under the Defense Ministry said in their annual national security threat assessment report published on Thursday.

According to the report, Rosatom is engaged in the dissemination of Russian nuclear technology and technological influence in foreign markets, and derives most of its revenues from this activity. While civil nuclear energy is the main area of ​​Rosatom's activities, the corporation also directly contributes to strengthening Russia's military power and political influence.

"With Gazprom losing its influence abroad, Rosatom becomes a more important tool for the Kremlin regime," it reads. 

The report says that almost all Lithuanian companies that have in the past cooperated with Rosatom's companies and their representatives have maintained their ties, due mostly to financial interests and access to the corporation's projects. 

The intelligence agencies say that Lithuanian companies with ties to Rosatom use various means to participate in INPP projects, often operate non-transparently, attempt to conceal contacts, set up new front companies, and try to employ specialists in projects through individual contracts in an attempt to conceal their links to a company whose involvement in the project would not be in line with national security interests, and so on.

Such Lithuanian companies are not in a position to bid for large-scale INPP projects on their own, and are therefore looking for ways to cooperate with major nuclear energy corporations in Western countries.

"Such Lithuanian companies present themselves as reliable local partners that can provide indispensable, financially attractive services and ensure the smooth implementation of the projects," the intelligence report says.

Their ties with Rosatom in third countries are concealed, it says.