Greenpeace Protests Russian Uranium Shipments to France, Activists Arrested in Dunkirk

Dunkirk, France – Greenpeace activists disrupted operations at the port of Dunkirk on Monday, March 2, 2026, blocking a cargo ship suspected of transporting Russian uranium for French nuclear power plants. French police arrested four activists following a five-hour blockade, with investigations underway for obstruction of operate and unauthorized access to a restricted port area.

Protest Details and Arrests

Approximately 20 protestors, some utilizing kayaks, blockaded the cargo ship Mikhail Dudin, displaying banners with slogans such as “Uranium: EDF loves Putin,” “Stop toxic contracts,” and “Solidarity with Ukrainians.” The activists aimed to prevent the unloading of the ship’s cargo, which Greenpeace alleges contained uranium originating from Russia.

Authorities took three women and one man into custody. The individuals are of German, Austrian, and Dutch nationality. Those arrested face potential penalties including up to one year in prison and a fine of 15,000 euros ($17,550) for obstructing the exercise of professional freedom. Eight other activists, of French, German, and Belgian nationality, were questioned and released, but remain under investigation for the same offense.

Concerns Over French-Russian Nuclear Ties

Greenpeace has consistently criticized France’s continued relationship with Russia’s state-owned energy company, Rosatom, despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. The organization argues that these ties indirectly support the Russian government through financial transactions.

The protest was timed to coincide with the upcoming World Nuclear Summit in Paris on March 10, renewing calls to end trade with Rosatom and impose sanctions. Greenpeace claims to have tracked at least 20 trips by the Mikhail Dudin between Russia and France over the past four years, and another 15 trips by the Baltiyskiy-202.

Uranium Imports and Supply Chain

According to French customs data analyzed by AFP, France imported at least 112 tonnes of enriched uranium and its compounds from Russia in 2025, representing approximately a quarter of its total uranium purchases. Even as imports have decreased since 2022, the continued reliance on Russian uranium remains a point of contention.

France is not directly dependent on Russia for natural uranium, with approximately 50% of its supplies originating from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as of 2025 – both former Soviet republics. Greenpeace likewise noted the first observed export of reprocessed uranium (URT) from Dunkirk to Russia in over three years in November 2025, highlighting Russia’s unique capacity for URT conversion and re-enrichment.

Company Responses

EDF declined to comment on the situation. Orano stated it has no current contracts for the purchase or sale of uranium with Russian companies and clarified that even when processing uranium from Kazakhstan for Asian customers, the seller, Kazatomprom, determines the shipping route. Framatome and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance (Bercy) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Mikhail Dudin and Baltiyskiy-202 are Panama-flagged cargo ships owned by companies registered in Hong Kong, according to the International Maritime Organization registry.