In 2024, all WWER-1000 power units operated in Ukraine (except for the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP) are provided with nuclear fuel produced by Westinghouse. This was stated by Head of SNRIU and Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov in his speech during the side events of the 68th session of the IAEA General Conference (Vienna, Austria).

He also emphasised that in 2023, trial operation of Westinghouse fuel was started at Rivne NPP Unit 2 WWER-440, and this year, trial operation of this fuel was started at Rivne NPP Unit 1. Oleh Korikov added that the introduction of any new modification of nuclear fuel for Ukrainian NPPs is clearly regulated and carried out in accordance with regulatory documents on nuclear and radiation safety.

"Because of the large-scale aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, further cooperation and purchase of nuclear fuel from the russian manufacturer is impossible and would be financing the military aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine. In general, the entire russian nuclear industry can no longer be considered reliable. The Ukrainian experience of switching to new types of nuclear fuel is unique and can undoubtedly be useful for the EU countries, which currently operate 19 Soviet-designed power units", the SNRIU Chairman said.

The Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine said that no violations of safe operation conditions have been recorded at WWER-1000 reactors since 2015.

"In addition, in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine, the SNRIU conducted a state nuclear and radiation safety review of the materials justifying the safety of the introduction of an alternative fuel assembly manufactured by Westinghouse for WWER-440 reactors", Oleh Korikov emphasised.

In his speech, SNRIU Chairman provided detailed information on the state of nuclear and radiation safety at the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP, emphasising the need to force russia to implement the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors and General Conference, which require the aggressor country to immediately de-occupy and demilitarise the plant, and called on international partners to take a consolidated and principled position on the inadmissibility of military attacks on energy infrastructure facilities that are important for the safe operation of Ukrainian NPPs.