Ukraine has always emphasized and continues to emphasize that nuclear facilities should never become targets of military operations. Therefore, Ukraine calls on the international community to take urgent measures to prevent further escalations that could lead to irreversible nuclear consequences.
This was stated by the head of Ukraine’s delegation, Minister of Energy of Ukraine German Galushchenko, during his speech at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria.
“The safety and security of operating nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities are a top priority for Ukraine. We continue to take all necessary measures to protect our population and the environment, ensuring that nuclear energy remains safe for neighboring countries. The same cannot be said about the russian federation,” he said, adding that Ukraine expects increased IAEA involvement in protecting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
“However, the current situation is unstable. The international community must not remain idle in the face of russia’s blatant violations of the IAEA Statute and its ongoing disregard for the resolutions of the Board of Governors and the General Conference. It is crucial that all countries take a firm and unified stance against russia’s actions. Nuclear safety must not be compromised,” German Galushchenko pointed out.
The head of the delegation informed the Board of Governors about the threats to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine caused by russia’s criminal actions, which could lead to irreversible nuclear consequences. In particular, he highlighted the unprecedented terrorist act—the direct attack on the new confinement arch at the Chornobyl NPP—as well as the alarming situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP due to the occupation of the plant.
Regarding the incident at the Chornobyl NPP, the Minister stated that russia had breached the integrity of a critically important protective structure, significantly increasing the risk of radioactive contamination. The full extent of the damage and the necessary restoration work is still being assessed.
Among the most pressing issues at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, he identified the stability of the power supply outside the plant, the availability of a reliable source of cooling water, the presence of a sufficient number of qualified personnel, and the timely and proper maintenance of all critical safety-related structures, systems, and components.
Additionally, he noted that Ukraine has evidence that russia has not abandoned its plans to restart the Zaporizhzhia NPP and illegally integrate it into the energy system of the temporarily occupied territories, as indicated by public statements from Rosatom’s leadership. The Minister emphasized that any such actions are a gross violation of international law and a direct threat to nuclear safety.
German Galushchenko also once again underscored that Ukraine condemns the violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity during the recent rotation of the IAEA expert mission at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which was conducted without coordination with the Ukrainian authorities.
