The international community should be consolidated and principled in opposing nuclear blackmail, which russia resorted to by occupying Zaporizhzhya NPP and striking at the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, which poses threats to nuclear and radiation safety in our country. SNRIU Chairman and Chief State Nuclear and Radiation Safety Inspector of Ukraine Oleh Korikov stated this on 7 May 2024, speaking at the online meeting of the G7 Nuclear Safety Group (“Big Seven” or Group of Seven countries).

“There are a number of decisions on de-occupation, demilitarization and withdrawal of russian troops from the territory of Zaporizhzhya NPP and from the territory of Ukraine in general, but they are not implemented by the aggressor country. the russian federation violates the IAEA Board of Governors resolution GC(67)/RES/16 and the IAEA General Conference resolutions GOV/2022/17, GOV/2022/58, GOV/2022/71, GOV/2024/18 with impunity. By doing so, russia is calling into question the international authority of both the IAEA and the UN. In my opinion, one of the main challenges for the countries of the civilized world, for the G7 countries, is the need to develop and implement a mechanism to hold accountable those countries that violate the principles of nuclear safety and peaceful use of nuclear energy. To achieve this, among other things, it is necessary to strengthen the IAEA by expanding its functions, giving it additional powers and tools of influence,” said Oleh Korikov.

He added that ZNPP has been under russian occupation for more than two years, which is a gross violation of international law, norms, rules and standards of nuclear safety.

“The state of nuclear and physical safety at ZNPP is deteriorating. The situation with the availability of qualified operating and maintenance personnel is critical: there is not a single SNRIU-licensed specialist left at the site. Necessary maintenance and repairs are not being carried out. Shelling by the russian occupiers leads to periodic losses of ZNPP's connection with the Ukrainian power grid. The Kakhovka Reservoir as a reliable source of water supply has been lost. The russian invaders turned ZNPP into a military base,” SNRIU Chairman informed G7 delegates.

He emphasized that the only way to ensure safe and reliable operation of ZNPP is to force the russian occupants to immediately withdraw all military and other unauthorized personnel from ZNPP and to immediately return ZNPP under full control of the competent authorities of Ukraine in accordance with the licenses issued by the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine.

For reference: The G7 countries include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.