A post (here, here, and here) is being widely shared on social media, claiming that Russia has banned the export of enriched uranium to India, along with the USA, Germany, and France. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Russia has banned the export of enriched Uranium to India along with USA, Germany and France.
Fact: On 15 November 2024, Russia imposed temporary restrictions on enriched uranium exports to the U.S. in response to U.S. restrictions on Russian uranium imports. No ban on exports to India, Germany, or France was mentioned. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
An internet search using relevant keywords led us to an official statement (archive) released by the Russian government on 15 November 2024. The statement announced that Russia has imposed temporary restrictions on exporting enriched uranium to the United States or entities operating under U.S. jurisdiction. The statement added that exceptions will be made for deliveries authorized by one-time licenses issued by the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control. The decision was made on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin in response to restrictions imposed by the United States for 2024–2027, and a complete ban on the import of Russian uranium products starting in 2028. News articles reporting this issue can be seen here and here.
However, the decree (archive) issued by the Russian government does not mention any ban on the export of enriched uranium to India, Germany, or France. Additionally, according to Reuters, Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, clarified that it continues delivering uranium to all its customers as usual, with supplies to the United States possible under a special regime.
Russia is the world’s sixth-largest uranium producer and controls about 44% of global uranium enrichment capacity. In 2023, the United States and China were the largest importers of Russian uranium, followed by South Korea and France. Furthermore, reports from July 2024 suggested that Russia and India are working towards finalizing a long-term uranium supply agreement to support India’s nuclear power plants.
To sum it up, the Russian government has imposed temporary restrictions on exporting enriched uranium only to the United States.
