Considering the full-scale aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, russian companies specialising in the production of equipment for nuclear power plants can no longer be considered reliable, and further cooperation with them would be financing the war against Ukraine. This was stated by Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov in his speech at the Seventh Conference of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) held in Brussels (Belgium).
“Timely maintenance of NPPs is crucial for safety. And this is impossible without sustainable supply chains. Therefore, any operating organisation must have reliable partners who provide quality services and equipment in a timely manner. Considering the full-scale invasion of russia, legal entities affiliated with russia can no longer be considered reliable partners. Ensuring reliable supply and maintenance for Ukrainian NPPs is implemented through several components. Firstly, SE «NNEGC «Energoatom» has established several separate divisions (branches) for the production of equipment and maintenance. Secondly, part of the needs is covered by private Ukrainian businesses established since independence: production of pumps, pipelines, valves, electric motors, cables, turbines, lifting equipment, etc. And the third component is the supply of high-quality equipment and services by leading Western manufacturers and engineering companies”, said Oleh Korikov.
He added that Ukraine also refused from russian nuclear fuel.
“It should be noted that starting from 2024, all WWER-1000 power units of Ukrainian NPPs, except for the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP, will be supplied with nuclear fuel produced by Westinghouse. I would like to remind you that in 2023, trial operation of Westinghouse fuel was started at Rivne NPP Unit 2, and this year trial operation of this fuel was started at Rivne NPP Unit 1”, SNRIU Chairman said.
The Head of the Ukrainian Nuclear Regulator called on international partners to refuse to cooperate with russia and to impose political and economic sanctions against russian companies in the field of nuclear energy use.
“Unfortunately, the russian federation is not sitting idle, its global nuclear expansion is growing every day. The aggressor country also retains significant influence on international institutions, including the IAEA. A huge number of russians continue to work at the IAEA headquarters in the interests of their terrorist country. The IAEA management plans and implements projects and events in russia, and invites representatives of russia to participate in its activities. At the same time, the level of militarisation of Zaporizhzhya NPP is increasing, access of the Agency's permanent monitoring mission to the occupied nuclear power plant is restricted, they are prohibited from communicating directly with the personnel, the emergency preparedness and response system is destroyed, the automated radiation monitoring system is not functioning, which is completely contrary to the Convention on the Early Warning of Nuclear Incidents”, said Oleh Korikov.
He stressed that the only way to ensure nuclear and radiation safety at ZNPP is to force the russian federation to implement the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference calling for the urgent withdrawal of all unauthorised personnel from ZNPP and immediate return of the plant under full control of the Ukrainian authorities.
During his speech, SNRIU Chairman also informed that russia continues attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which could potentially affect the state of nuclear and radiation safety at nuclear power plants.
“Let me remind you that as a result of the russian missile terror against the Ukrainian energy infrastructure in November 2022, all power units of Ukrainian nuclear power plants were shut down in an emergency. Further attacks on energy infrastructure facilities may create new threats and challenges for the safe operation of Ukrainian NPPs”, said Oleh Korikov.