Russia Backs Myanmar Nuclear Plant Despite Quake Devastation

Rosatom

Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom has confirmed it will move forward with plans to build Myanmar’s first nuclear power plant, even as Naypyitaw grapples with the aftermath of a deadly earthquake that left much of the capital in ruins.

“The recent earthquake has not affected Rosatom’s plans in Myanmar,” the company stated this week, insisting its reactor designs meet stringent international standards, including seismic resistance.

The announcement follows a high-level agreement between junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Myanmar leader’s visit to Moscow in March. The deal formalised a years-long ambition to establish nuclear power in the country, despite deepening political instability and widespread opposition at home.

Rosatom’s Director General Alexey Likhachev confirmed the reactor would be located near Naypyitaw, the city worst hit by the 7.7-magnitude quake on 28 March. The disaster, which struck just three weeks after Min Aung Hlaing returned from Russia, killed over 3,700 people—many in the capital—and levelled key government buildings, including the presidential residence and parliament.

With much of Naypyitaw in ruins and ministries considering relocation to Yangon, the junta’s focus on nuclear expansion has raised eyebrows. Soil testing for reconstruction is already underway, yet details of the nuclear project remain tightly guarded, including timelines and safety protocols.

Local fears are mounting over the wisdom of installing a nuclear facility in a seismic zone. The government’s assurances that the plant will serve only peaceful purposes have been met with scepticism, particularly in light of the military’s continued attacks on resistance-held areas and its poor disaster response record following Cyclone Mocha and recent floods.

Observers warn that the nuclear project could exacerbate public distrust and stoke fears over potential militarisation. The regime has long harboured nuclear ambitions, dating back to the era of former dictator Than Shwe, and now faces accusations of prioritising power projection over public welfare.

With much of the country in conflict and civilian casualties mounting from junta airstrikes, critics say the timing—and location—of the nuclear plan couldn’t be more perilous.

-2025-04-24