Kyrgyzstan ratified an agreement with Russia on Wednesday covering extensive decontamination of radioactive sites across the country. The deal addresses environmental damage linked to uranium and heavy metals mining carried out during the Soviet era. Kyrgyz officials said the work is intended to safeguard residents living in contaminated areas.
The project centers on cleanup at 92 sites, involving more than 300 million cubic meters of toxic and radioactive waste. The agreement also links the need for remediation to risks that could be intensified by natural disasters such as landslides. Without cleanup, officials said, former uranium mine waste could contribute to broader contamination.
Russia’s role in regional decontamination efforts
Russian state-run nuclear corporation Rosatom is involved in similar decontamination activities in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Kyrgyz agreement was ratified as part of this broader regional context for radioactive site restoration. President Sadyr Japarov’s office emphasized the objective of protecting people in affected areas.
Samin removal near Bishkek supported by international partners
On the same day, Kyrgyzstan marked the removal of 55 tons of Samin, described as a toxic rocket fuel component, from a village near Bishkek. The cleanup was supported by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Officials presented the operation as a step toward reducing environmental risks associated with the substance.
Funding for restoration initiatives connected to these efforts includes contributions from the European Union and the World Bank. The support is aimed at enabling decontamination and related environmental cleanup activities.