Today, the power units of nuclear power plants located in the territory controlled by Ukraine are operated in accordance with technological regulations, and the radiation background at industrial sites of nuclear power plants is within the normal limits. However, attacks by the russian federation on energy infrastructure facilities, causing damage and destruction, could potentially affect the state of nuclear and radiation safety at nuclear power plants. This was stated by Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov on 28 May 2024 during a meeting with representatives of the G7 embassies and the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine.
“Nuclear generation is an integral and key component of the energy infrastructure and national electricity production. Of course, the safe operation of nuclear power plants depends on the proper functioning of the power system. Therefore, damage to power transmission lines, substations, switchgear, etc. may further affect nuclear and radiation safety at NPP industrial sites, creating new threats and challenges to their safe operation. I would like to 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,” said Oleh Korikov.
In this context, he stressed the importance of international partners, in particular the G7 countries, providing comprehensive assistance to Ukraine, which would help strengthen the protection of energy infrastructure and restore the already destroyed ones.
Regarding the situation at the occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP, Oleh Korikov reminded that there is currently an IAEA General Conference resolution GC(67)/RES/16 and IAEA Board of Governors resolutions GOV/2022/17, GOV/2022/58, GOV/2022/71, GOV/2024/18, which demand that russia immediately de-occupy and demilitarise the Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
“The absence of an international mechanism to hold accountable states that violate international law and the principles of nuclear and radiation safety and peaceful use of nuclear energy makes it impossible to respond effectively to the challenges and consequences that their criminal actions create, instead allowing the russian federation to ignore the resolutions of the IAEA General Conference and Board of Governors. Only a consolidated and firm position of the civilised world can force the occupiers to withdraw military and other unauthorised personnel from ZNPP and immediately return the plant under full control of the competent authorities of Ukraine,” SNRIU Chairman stated.
He called to continue to put pressure on the aggressor country as a member state of the IAEA and the UN, which ignores the principles of nuclear and radiation safety, and stressed the importance of isolating russia, limiting its rights and privileges in the IAEA, and terminating its membership.
“In recent months, the russian occupiers have made many statements that they plan to restart at least one of the ZNPP reactors. I want to emphasise that there are no technical or economic reasons for such actions. In the current circumstances, such actions can only be qualified as an act of nuclear terrorism,” commented Oleh Korikov.
During the meeting, the international partners were also informed about the situation at Ukrainian nuclear facilities affected by the full-scale war and military operations. Representatives of the G7 countries were also interested in the Ukrainian nuclear regulator's vision of the post-war resumption of Zaporizhzhya NPP operation, the operation of the radiation monitoring system, and plans for the development of the nuclear energy sector in Ukraine.