News

On 6 March 2022, ENSREG held a second extraordinary meeting with the participation of the IAEA, WENRA and the Ukrainian nuclear regulator (SNRIU) and two other observers (Switzerland, United Kingdom) to further assess the situation with regard to nuclear safety in Ukraine in relation to the Russian Federation’s continued military aggression.

ENSREG deplores the attacks by the Russian forces on the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant on 4 March 2022 and on the Kharkiv Nuclear Sub-Critical Installation “Neutron Source” on 6 March 2022. Such acts are absolutely unacceptable, given the potential serious consequences of any violent attack at nuclear facilities.

ENSREG called on the military forces to immediately leave the site so that the operator can ensure the safe operation of the plant and perform a full assessment of the damage, allow for reinstatement of the supply chain and repair of damage.

ENSREG reiterated its urgent call for Russia to cease all military operations in the vicinity of nuclear facilities, and against nuclear sites in Ukraine.

As ENSREG has already underlined in its statement of 27 February 2022 “any armed attack on and threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and the Statute of the Agency”, as per the decision adopted by the IAEA General Conference in 2009.

ENSREG fully supported the initiative of IAEA Director General Grossi announced on Friday 4 March 2022 for an agreement between Ukraine and Russia to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. ENSREG stand ready, in close coordination at EU level and with its international partners, to provide the necessary assistance to any international mission in support of any agreement on the safety and security. This must include the safety of the staff of the operator and of the national regulator and the possibility for them to conduct their normal duties.

ENSREG remains increasingly concerned about the situation on the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. This is highlighted by:
• the continuing restrictions imposed on the onsite personnel to carry out routine maintenance and repair of safety-critical equipment;
• the current fragility of the electrical supplies to the site, with only one supply line out of three available and back-up diesel power having sufficient fuel supplies for only 48 hours;
• the absence of effective communications between the site and the regulator, SNRIU.

ENSREG therefore reiterated its call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease its unlawful activities in order to restore SNRIU’s control over all nuclear facilities and materials within Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders, in line with the internationally recognised safety standards and security guidance.


ENSREG Statement on Ukraine 6 March 2022