Is Kazakhstan really naming a nuclear plant after a Counter Strike map?

Kazakh journalist proposes naming nuclear plant after Counter-Strike map / Photo: CS 2, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Kazakhstan is holding a public contest to name its first nuclear power plant — and one tongue-in-cheek suggestion has captured attention.

Journalist Askar Ismailov proposed calling the facility «Nuke,» after the well-known map from the video game Counter-Strike. In the game, battles take place at the fictional Cedar Creek nuclear plant in the U.S.

«Well, it’s worth a shot. And yes, you can submit your idea through the eGov mobile app. Applications are being accepted until Oct. 10,» Ismailov wrote, reminding citizens about the competition.

Photo: Threads.com/@alputino

The idea quickly resonated online. Social media users joked that «Nuke» was the perfect fit — not only as a nod to gaming culture, but also because the word itself refers to a nuclear bomb.

Still, officials are likely to lean toward more traditional options. Suggested names include «Alash,» a patriotic reference to the Kazakh people, and «Zhetysu,» meaning «Seven Rivers,» a historic region in the country.