Ignoring the resolutions and decisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency by the russian occupiers is a challenge for both the IAEA and the UN. After all, these international institutions have adopted a number of resolutions on de-occupation, demilitarization and withdrawal of russian troops from Zaporizhzhia NPP and from the territory of Ukraine in general, but they are ignored by the aggressor country. On 3 May 2024, Head of SNRIU - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov emphasized this during an online meeting with international partners - heads of nuclear regulators of the International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA).

"Both the General Conference and the IAEA Board of Governors have repeatedly called on the russian federation in their resolutions to urgently withdraw military and other unauthorized personnel from the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya NPP and immediately return the plant under the full control of the competent authorities of Ukraine. However, the russian occupiers continue to cynically ignore all these demands. Thus, in our opinion, the authority of international organizations is called into question", said Oleh Korikov.

The SNRIU Chairman informed international partners about the situation at the occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP and threats arising from the russian military aggression for other Ukrainian nuclear energy enterprises.

He noted that ZNPP was turned into a military base by the russian invaders, experts of the IAEA permanent monitoring mission recorded artillery shelling from the territory surrounding the industrial site of ZNPP, and military equipment is located in the technological premises.

"Nuclear and radiation safety at ZNPP has degraded and this process, unfortunately, continues. This is a consequence of the criminal occupation, lack of qualified personnel, proper and necessary maintenance and repairs of safety systems and safety-critical equipment, unreliable connection to the power grid, loss of the Kakhovka reservoir as a reliable source of water supply, etc. The aggressor country is responsible for all risks and threats at ZNPP today and for any possible emergencies," said Oleh Korikov.

The SNRIU Chairman emphasized the need for concrete steps and decisions aimed at international economic and political isolation of the russian federation, termination of any cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, limitation of the rights and privileges of the russian federation in the IAEA and other international organizations.

The parties also discussed further steps to support Ukraine, in particular in the final documents of the 68th session of the IAEA General Conference, and preparations for the next meetings under the Convention on Nuclear Safety and the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.

For reference: The International Nuclear Regulators Association (INRA) was founded in 1997 as a forum for discussing nuclear safety and radiation safety issues of mutual interest. The INRA member countries are Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.