Finland and Russia worked together to develop radiation and nuclear safety in Russia for an extended period of more than 30 years. Finland discontinued this cooperation in 2022 following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine. This study seeks to determine from Finland’s perspective when and in what circumstances the ideas and plans to respond to cross-border nuclear threats by working together with the Soviet Union or its successor states emerged. It also looks at what the assistance and cooperation consisted of and how the cooperation progressed until the current situation was reached.

Key source materials comprise interviews conducted during the research project, which sought to gather information and experiences of the practices followed in projects aiming to improve nuclear safety. In addition to expert interviews, the sources included the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority’s archives and extensive written documents.

This study was translated from Finnish original that was also published by STUK at the same time, in 2025.