The Conflict in Ukraine

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has launched a dedicated webpage on nuclear safety, security and safeguards implications of the conflict in Ukraine as a result of the Russian Federation’s military operation.

The international organization is monitoring the situation on the ground in Ukraine and is giving daily updates via the webpage and their social channels.

Ukraine has 15 reactors, six of which are at the Zaporizhzhia plant in the south east of the country and is one of the biggest in Europe. It’s Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has announced his readiness to travel to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) to secure the commitment to the safety and security of all Ukraine’s nuclear power plants from the parties of the conflict in the country.

The Director General outlined seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety and security at a meeting of the IAEA’s Board of Governors on 2 March, convened to address the safety, security and safeguards implications of the situation in Ukraine.

The Seven Pillars are:

1.  The physical integrity of the facilities – whether it is the reactors, fuel ponds, or radioactive waste stores – must be maintained;
2.  All safety and security systems and equipment must be fully functional at all times;
3. The operating staff must be able to fulfil their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure;
4. There must be secure off-site power supply from the grid for all nuclear sites;
5. There must be uninterrupted logistical supply chains and transportation to and from the sites;
6. There must be effective on-site and off-site radiation monitoring systems and emergency preparedness and response measures; and
7. There must be reliable communications with the regulator and others.

For more information, we encourage you to monitor statements from the IAEA which contains the most up-to-date, verified information on the situation.