From 31 May to 2 June 2016, full-scale exercise of response teams and forces will be conducted at the Khmelnitsky NPP of the National Nuclear Operator “Energoatom” to train actions in case of a sabotage and test emergency preparedness measures.

This exercise is part of the Program for Inclusion of the State Physical Protection System into the Global Nuclear Security System, implemented in Ukraine with support of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense and intended to enhance security of risk-significant radiation facilities, strengthen response capabilities at facility, regional, and national levels, and promote cooperation and effective interaction between state authorities for the purposes of public safety and security.

At the facility/regional level, the exercise will involve security and emergency response teams of the Khmelnitsky NPP, Energoatom Emergency Technical Center, territorial divisions of the State Emergency Service, National Guard, National Police, Anti-Terrorist Center at Security Service of Ukraine, and Civil Protection Departments of the Khmelnitsky, Rivne, and Netishin Regional State Administrations.

At the state level, the Emergency and Information Center of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine will be activated to perform functions of the competent authority under the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and Nuclear Facilities and the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident.

The exercise at Khmelnitsky NPP is aimed at improving the prevention, response, protection, and assistance measures and enhancing the interface of nuclear safety and security.

Experts of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory, and Norway Radiation Protection Authority will observe the exercise process at the Khmelnitsky NPP.

For reference: since 2014, Ukraine has enhanced physical protection of nuclear facilities. During 2015, training and exercises were conducted at all Ukrainian nuclear power plants to test interaction with defense and security forces and check preparedness for response to threats of any nature.

This message is intended to inform the public and mass media about the planned event and prevent the spread of false rumors on nuclear safety and safety of NPP in connection with exercise in actual field conditions in the Khmelnitsky region.