Nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Ukraine: UK national statement to IAEA Board, November 2024
UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell's statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine

颁丑补颈谤,听
The United Kingdom thanks the Director General for this comprehensive report. We value the work of IAEA, particularly the expert and brave IAEA staff, on the ground in Ukraine under such challenging circumstances.聽聽
We are deeply concerned by the increasing risk to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine resulting from Russia鈥檚 illegal war. Reports of drones in close proximity to operating Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), frequent air raid alarms at these sites, and dangerous impacts on energy infrastructure, highlight the precariousness of the situation.聽聽
We welcome the Agency鈥檚 more proactive stance to help ensure the stability of critical energy infrastructure so that it can continue to support nuclear safety. The findings from the Agency鈥檚 field visits to seven electrical substations, key to supplying power to Ukraine鈥檚 nuclear power plants are worrying. In particular:聽
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The 鈥渆xtensive damage to the equipment鈥� of all seven substations;聽
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That 鈥渢he capabilities of the electrical grid to provide a reliable off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs were significantly reduced鈥�; and聽
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That the 鈥渄amage done to the to the electrical grid during Russia鈥檚 attacks on 26 August 2024鈥� - when at least 127 Russian missiles and 109 drones targeted key energy facilities across the country - 鈥渉as significantly impacted the operations of several reactors, resulting in equipment damage and malfunctions鈥�.聽聽
This report, and the DG鈥檚 seven Pillars are clear: a stable off-site power supply for all nuclear sites is essential for nuclear safety. It is deeply concerning that renewed Russian attacks last weekend targeted Ukraine鈥檚 energy infrastructure once again, putting nuclear safety and security under further pressure. If the Russian Federation is serious about 鈥渟trengthening鈥� nuclear safety, it would immediately halt these dangerous attacks.聽聽
颁丑补颈谤,听
Once again, the DG鈥檚 report assesses the safety and security at Ukraine鈥檚 Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to be 鈥減recarious鈥�, with six of the seven DG鈥檚 Pillars compromised fully or partially. The report states that, once again, armed troops prevented the ISAMZ team from accessing the western part of the turbine halls of all six units. Without this access the IAEA cannot fully confirm whether there are issues that could affect nuclear safety and security at the plant. ISAMZ have also been unable to access the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant cooling pond isolation gate, the inside of cooling tower number two, and the Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant 330kV open switchyard.聽聽聽
The only way to truly ensure nuclear safety and security is for Russia to withdraw its troops and return of full sovereign control to Ukraine all its nuclear facilities, within its internationally recognized borders, including an end to the illegal seizure of Zaporizhzhia NPP.聽聽
Thank you, Chair.