ABSTRACT
Russia's Far Eastern Federal Okrug is unique due to its distance from Moscow, proximity to other nations, strong military presence, unstable politics, and the influence of regional actors over local affairs. This chapter examines on personal interviews with officials in the region and an extensive reading of local news accounts, examines each of the Far Eastern territories hosting a nuclear installation, noting how the local political, economic, and criminal situation impacts upon local nuclear sites. The Chukotka Autonomous District is home to a nuclear heating and power plant and has been designated by Minatom as a future site for experimental floating nuclear power plants. Kamchatka politicians have a great deal of influence over the nuclear installations on the peninsula. Although Governor Mikhail Mashkovtsev has never publicly stated his policies regarding local naval facilities and nuclear issues, since his January 2001 election he has fostered good relations with Minatom, and has consolidated political power on the peninsula.
