VVR-M reactor in Ukraine received LEU fuel

Kiev Institute of Nuclear Research (Ukraine) received LEU fuel (19.75%) for its VVR-M research reactor. Previously, the reactor used 36% HEU fuel. The reactor was shutdown for refueling in 2008. The conversion has been financed by the United States. The cost of the 33 fuel assemblies is estimated to be $900,000. The reactor is expected to begin operations in the third quarter of 2009 and then to operate until at least 2014.