Ukraine’s Nuclear Security Situation ‘Highly Challenging’, Warns UN Atomic Watchdog
November 7, 2024
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a stark warning about the security situation at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, describing it as “highly challenging” amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In a report released on Monday, the IAEA said that it had observed several instances of “obstruction” and “interference” with its safety inspections at Ukrainian nuclear power plants. The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, emphasized that such actions could have serious consequences for nuclear safety.
“The situation in Ukraine is of grave concern to the IAEA. The ongoing conflict poses a serious threat to the safety and security of the country’s nuclear facilities,” Grossi said.
The IAEA report highlights several specific incidents that have raised concerns, including:
- The shelling of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, by Russian forces in March 2024.
- The seizure and control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant by Russian forces in February 2024.
- The detention and interrogation of Ukrainian nuclear plant staff by Russian forces.
- The disruption of supply chains and infrastructure essential for the safe operation of nuclear facilities.
The IAEA stressed that these incidents have undermined the ability to conduct regular safety inspections and maintenance at Ukrainian nuclear plants. The agency also expressed concern about the potential for further escalation in the conflict, which could lead to even more serious nuclear safety risks.
“The IAEA calls on all parties involved in the conflict to respect the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and to allow the IAEA to carry out its essential safety verification activities without hindrance,” Grossi said.
The IAEA’s report comes just two weeks after an explosion at a nuclear power plant in Russia, which raised concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities in the region. The Kremlin has denied any links between the explosion and the conflict in Ukraine, but the incident has further heightened concerns about the potential for nuclear disasters in the ongoing conflict.
In response to the IAEA’s report, the United States and the European Union have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities around Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. They have also urged Russia to withdraw its forces from the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plants and to allow the IAEA to conduct unhindered inspections.
The Ukrainian government has welcomed the IAEA’s report and has called on the international community to take urgent action to protect Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia’s actions pose a “clear and present danger” to the whole of Europe.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has raised unprecedented challenges for the safety and security of nuclear facilities in the region. The IAEA’s latest report is a stark reminder of the potential consequences of further escalation and the need for all parties involved to prioritize nuclear safety.
Ukraine’s nuclear security situation ‘highly challenging’, warns UN atomic watchdog
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