Video Interview

Note: The opinions presented are not necessarily those of the Government of Canada.

Canada and Russia working together 4:05 Windows Media | QuickTime

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Transcript:

Canada and Russia working together

I started to work with Zvezdochka 32 years ago, after my graduation from the university. My profession is an expert in ballistic missile launchers. I worked here as designer, then deputy chief designer, and then I worked in the position of deputy chief engineer and deputy general director of the shipyard. Eight years ago I became the general director of the research and development and design bureau, which is named Onega. Onega was established initially to develop documentation necessary for the repair and refit of nuclear-powered submarines, but in the late 1980s we were tasked with developing documentation that would ensure safe dismantlement of nuclear-powered submarines, and we started to accomplish this task as well.

Over the last decade we have become the leading institute in this field in Russia. Now, these days, we develop this documentation not only for Zvezdochka but also for other shipyards performing dismantlement, such as the Nerpa plant and the plant belonging to the Ministry of Defence system.

Speaking more specifically, Onega is responsible for developing the documentation necessary to accomplish safe management of the spent nuclear fuel and defuelling of the nuclear-powered submarines, as well as collection, processing and disposal of liquid and solid radioactive wastes that are formed during the dismantlement process. Fifteen years ago, when the problem of safe dismantlement of nuclear-powered submarines became very acute in Russia, it turned out that Russian shipyards not only did not have the necessary infrastructure, but also the process documentation was also unavailable.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Canadian contribution is important not only because this is a large-scale program, 12 nuclear submarines to be dismantled, and not only because Canada is very strictly observing the payment schedule for the completion of these works, but also I would like to emphasize that it was Canada that initiated the development of many documents and procedures, like environmental management plans, which pertain to protection of the environment and to ensuring the safety of the dismantlement process. It was upon the initiative of the Canadian side that we have compared national legislation and national procedures existing in Canada and Russia in terms of environmental risk assessment and mitigation. And it was Canada that invoked highly competent experts on radiation and nuclear safety, which allowed us to compare the existing requirements, standards and procedures for nuclear spent fuel management and radioactive waste management in both countries.