The history of the peaceful use of nuclear energy, also known as the "peaceful atom," begins with the same scientific discoveries that led to the creation of nuclear weapons. However, despite the destructive potential of atomic energy, humanity quickly realized its peaceful possibilities. The Soviet Union and, subsequently, the Russian Federation became leaders in the field of nuclear energy, playing a key role in the development of this industry at the global level. This achievement was due to both historical and scientific and technical factors. After the end of World War II and the testing of the atomic bomb, scientists began to consider nuclear energy as a potential source of energy for peaceful purposes. In the 1950s, the development of nuclear reactors for power generation began. The world's first nuclear reactor for civilian use was built in the United States in 1951, which marked the beginning of the era of using atomic energy for peaceful purposes.