Greenpeace: Swiss Nuclear Plants Still Reliant on Russian Uranium

Four years into the war in Ukraine, Switzerland’s energy heart remains tethered to the Kremlin. A staggering 100% of the fuel for the Beznau power plant's two reactors was historically sourced from Russia, alongside 50% for the Leibstadt facility. While the world watches the frontlines, Greenpeace warns that Swiss nuclear infrastructure is still gasping for independence. This is not just an environmental concern; it is a critical vulnerability in the Swiss national security apparatus. The NGO asserts that despite public gestures toward diversification, the shadow of Rosatom—the Russian state-owned nuclear giant—looms larger than ever over the Alps. Switzerland finds itself in a paradoxical struggle: maintaining its grid stability while inadvertently fueling the coffers of a sanctioned regime. The urgency is palpable as the nation grapples with the reality that its 'clean' energy transition is currently paved with Russian-processed uranium.

Shifting mining operations to Kazakhstan is a strategic mirage that fails to break the Russian stranglehold. While Swiss energy giant Axpo celebrated a partnership with Kazatomprom in 2025, the logistical reality is sobering: the majority of Kazakh uranium must traverse Russian territory to reach the port of St. Petersburg. From there, it is loaded onto Russian vessels and ferried to European harbors. Greenpeace dismantles the narrative of independence, pointing out that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route—a potential alternative—is plagued by 'considerable geopolitical risks' and logistical bottlenecks. Russia remains the gatekeeper. By controlling the transit corridors, Rosatom retains an indispensable role in the Swiss supply chain. The 'new' uranium might be mined in the Kazakh steppe, but it is still delivered by the grace of Moscow, leaving Switzerland exposed to the whims of a volatile neighbor.

Uranium is the ultimate 'ghost' commodity—completely untraceable once it enters the industrial grinder. During the enrichment process, material from various global sources is mixed, creating a blend where Russian atoms are indistinguishable from Canadian or Kazakh ones. Several of Axpo’s current European suppliers continue to process uranium provided by Rosatom, effectively laundering Russian influence into the Swiss grid. This lack of transparency creates a 'no-man's-land' for sanctions and ethics. While Seco confirms that the EU has yet to impose sanctions on nuclear material, the environmental lobby argues that this regulatory vacuum is exactly what Russia exploits. The industry’s reliance on Russian processing facilities makes it nearly impossible to guarantee a 'clean' supply chain. For the Swiss consumer, every flick of a light switch potentially carries a microscopic connection to the Russian state enterprise.