UK sanctions target Rosatom building Kazakhstan’s first NPP

Will sanctions derail Kazakhstan’s nuclear plan / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Serikzhan Kovlanbayev

The United Kingdom has expanded its anti-Russian sanctions list, adding 240 companies, seven individuals and 50 ships, including three entities linked to Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom and two employees of its subsidiaries.

Read also: Why Russia’s Rosatom is the undisputed pick for Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plant.

The updated sanctions list includes Rosatom Energy Projects, REIN Engineering and Rusatom Overseas, as well as Rosatom Energy Projects CEO Andrey Rozhdestvin and Rusatom Overseas President Ilya Vergizayev.

Sanctions tied to overseas nuclear projects

According to a statement from the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the measures were imposed in response to efforts to secure contracts for nuclear power plant construction abroad. British officials said such projects generate additional revenue for Russia and help offset declining oil income.

Implications for Kazakhstan nuclear project

Rosatom leads the international consortium building the Balkhash Nuclear Power Plant in Kazakhstan. Preliminary work on the project began in summer 2025, while construction of the facility itself could start in 2029.

Rosatom response

Rosatom previously said it was prepared for potential European Union sanctions. CEO Alexey Likhachev stated that the company would continue operating both domestically and internationally despite possible restrictions.