Russian Academy of Sciences Proposes Lunar "Sovereign Territories" in Direct Defiance of International Law

The Russian Academy of Sciences unveils a $7.5B plan to establish sovereign lunar zones and nuclear power stations, challenging international space treaties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 7:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Moscow Times

A Federal Mandate for Lunar Sovereignty

In a significant escalation of the burgeoning "Second Space Race," the Russian Academy of Sciences has formally proposed the allocation of sovereign Russian territories on the Moon. Sergei Chernyshev, Vice President of the RAS and head of the Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, announced the initiative on Tuesday as part of the "Space Science" federal project. The declaration represents a pivot in Moscow’s space policy, moving beyond purely scientific exploration toward a framework of territorial claim and geopolitical dominance on the lunar surface.

The Two-Stage Roadmap to Occupation

The "Space Science" program is structured into two distinct operational phases designed to establish a permanent presence. The first stage focuses on the mastery of precision landing technologies and the deployment of advanced research instruments to investigate the lunar interior. The second stage, slated to accelerate in the early 2030s, involves the construction of modular lunar bases and the development of long-range transportation systems. These technologies are intended to allow Russian personnel to operate far beyond initial landing sites, effectively securing and managing designated "sovereign zones."

Financial and Nuclear Underpinnings of the Project

According to academician Anatoly Petrukovich, Russia has allocated approximately 700 billion rubles ($7.5 billion) specifically for this lunar endeavor through 2036. This funding is part of a broader 4.4 trillion ruble national investment in space technology. A critical component of the infrastructure is a nuclear power plant, developed in collaboration with Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute. This facility, scheduled for deployment by 2036, is designed to provide autonomous, long-term energy for a network of lunar rovers, a scientific observatory, and the infrastructure of the International Scientific Lunar Station.