Abstract.Comparison of radionuclide specific indicators in airborne discharges to atmosphere from European and Russian nuclear power plants was carried out. The performed analysis allows determining airborne discharge structure and the environmental impact of nuclear power plant with different types of reactor. Analysis of experimental data on radioactive airborne discharges from Russian nuclear power plants is carried out. The nuclear power plants with three different kinds of reactors are investigated. The performed analysis allows determining the list of radionuclides in airborne discharges, which give from 84 to 99 % of radiation exposure population.