The russian federation is the first country that cynically ignored and violated the fundamental international principles on nuclear safety, which the civilized world has been conscientiously following for decades. Due to its barbaric attitude to the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia NPP and its personnel, the aggressor country should be completely isolated in the field of nuclear energy, said Oleh Korikov, Acting SNRIU Chairman and Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine, on 2 August 2023 on the Rada TV channel (United News telethon).
"We have an unprecedented situation when, for the first time, a country that is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, as a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, violated the fundamental principles of nuclear and radiation safety recognized by the international community. Its list of barbaric acts includes shelling of an operating nuclear power plant and armed occupation of an operating nuclear power plant. By blowing up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, russia destroyed the Kakhovka reservoir, which was the main source of water supply for the ZNPP. Due to the russian occupation, timely maintenance and repair of equipment and systems that are important for safe operation is not performed. In particular, this applies to Unit 4, which, contrary to the order of the regulatory authority, has been put into a hot state. I would like to emphasize that failure to comply with the order of the Ukrainian Nuclear and Radiation Safety Regulatory Authority is another fact of a flagrant violation committed by a barbarian country," said Oleh Korikov.
He also added that now Ukraine is actually unable to comply with the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident because the invaders have blocked the automated radiation monitoring system (ARMS) at Zaporizhzhia NPP.
"That is why the barbarian country, the terrorist country, should be isolated internationally," said Oleh Korikov.
It should be noted that the need for international isolation of the aggressor country, termination of cooperation with russian nuclear energy enterprises, deprivation of russia's rights and privileges in the IAEA is one of the key issues raised by SNRIU officials at all meetings and conferences with international partners.