Defect evolution under intense electronic energy deposition in uranium dioxide

•The coupled influence of the intense electronic and nuclear energy deposition on the defect production were investigated in UO2.•The evolution of local disorder (evaluated by Raman) and the stress level (determined by XRD) on fluorite-type oxides ceramics under the effect of intense electronic excitation was followed.•A possible synergetic effect between the pre-existing defects and those generated by intense electronic ionizations was revealed.