During the information session on nuclear safety held at the Directorate General of the European Commission for Energy on 18 March 2024, Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov informed the European partners on the current state of nuclear and radiation safety in Ukraine.

Traditionally, as at all international platforms where nuclear and radiation safety issues are discussed, the main focus of Oleh Korikov's speech was on the situation at Zaporizhzhya NPP, which has been under russian occupation for more than two years.

“The process of degradation of nuclear and radiation safety at ZNPP has been ongoing throughout the occupation period and is accelerating. However, despite this, the russian occupiers continue to act irresponsibly and unpredictably, causing damage to nuclear safety and security. Since 1 February 2024, the occupation administration has banned access to the industrial site for Ukrainian licensed personnel - there are no more people at ZNPP who have SNRIU licences to operate reactors. Therefore, the situation with qualified operating and maintenance personnel is critical,” said Oleh Korikov.

He added that even taking into account the presence of persons who have signed contracts with Rosatom, this is only 10% of the number of personnel available before the full-scale invasion, which is obviously not enough to ensure the safety of six Zaporizhzhya NPP units even in the conditions of shutdown.

“The situation with the maintenance and repair of safety systems and equipment at Zaporizhzhia NPP is deteriorating every day. There is no systematic approach and no scheduled maintenance of safety systems and safety-related equipment. A huge number of scheduled repairs of the main equipment have not been performed,” SNRIU Head said.

“We have to admit that the situation with nuclear and radiation safety is deteriorating, and the worst forecasts are coming true despite the efforts of Ukraine and the IAEA,” he concluded.

In addition, Oleh Korikov informed that the legitimate operator of ZNPP, SE «NNEGC «Energoatom», has developed a concept for the resumption of safe operation of ZNPP after de-occupation and demilitarisation. A joint project of the SNRIU, DSA, STUK and SSTC NRS has been launched to develop a programme for restoring state regulation of the safety of ZNPP six nuclear facilities and a programme for restoring state regulation of the safety of ZNPP DSFSF after de-occupation.

Among other things, the SNRIU Chairman spoke about the Ukrainian experience of substitution of russian nuclear fuel and refusal from russian services in the field of nuclear energy. He noted that this experience should serve as an example for many EU countries operating Soviet-designed reactors (WWER-1000 and WWER-440) on how to get rid of dependence on the aggressor country in terms of fuel, components and services.

As the aggressor country continues its shameful nuclear blackmail, cynically ignoring the resolutions of the IAEA General Conference and Board of Governors, the head of the Ukrainian regulator called for putting pressure on russia and considering limiting its rights and privileges in the IAEA and other international organisations.

“It is also necessary to refuse to cooperate with any Russian companies and individuals associated with the russian nuclear industry, to refuse from russian nuclear fuel, to draw the IAEA's attention to the need to refuse from any activity on the territory or in the interests of the russian federation and to develop a mechanism for holding accountable countries that violate the principles of nuclear safety and peaceful use of nuclear energy,” said Oleh Korikov.