Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nuclear security has become one of the key threats not only to our country, but also to the entire world. For the first time in the history of mankind, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe — Zaporizhzhya NPP — found itself under the control of the enemy army and in the epicenter of hostilities. At the same time, at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the Russian occupiers, who were there for a month after seizing the power plant in February 2022, grossly violated safety rules, creating the risk of a repeated release of radiation.
The world is definitely aware of the scale of the nuclear danger posed by Russia, because its actions, in particular the shelling of energy infrastructure, the threat of blowing up nuclear facilities and the manipulation of radioactive materials, seriously undermine the foundations of international nuclear safety norms. However, due to political and economic circumstances, the response of the international community is not always quick and effective. Despite numerous calls to Russia to stop these threats, the aggression continues, and the world is gradually realizing that not only the security of Ukraine is at stake, but also global stability.
Interrupted IAEA rotation
On Wednesday, February 12, the Russian military committed a provocation near the route of the IAEA representatives, which led to the disruption of their rotation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
“I deeply regret today’s cancellation of a carefully prepared and coordinated rotation of our staff, which is doing vital work under very difficult circumstances to help prevent a nuclear accident in a military conflict. It is absolutely unacceptable that the safety of our staff is put at risk in this way“, – stated Director General of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi.
As reported The Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, that day a group of 13 Russian soldiers attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of the village of Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia, although earlier agreements had been reached regarding the safe rotation of IAEA specialists. Intelligence noted that these actions actually disrupted international agreements, since the path of the agency’s experts passed through this area.
According to the GUR, the provocation was organized by soldiers of the 135th Assault Regiment of the 19th Motorized Rifle Division of the 58th Army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation. At the same time, it is emphasized that the invaders did not manage to succeed and seize any positions.
Drone strike on CAES
On the night of Friday, February 14, 2025, a Russian attack drone with an explosive warhead hit in the confinement of the destroyed 4th power unit of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP). As a result of the impact, a fire broke out, which was promptly extinguished. According to preliminary estimates, the damage to the shelter is significant. The level of radiation remains within normal limits, and the situation is under constant monitoring.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the fact of the explosion and fire at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. According to their data, around 01:50 Kyiv time, the IAEA team at the Chornobyl NPP site heard an explosion from the side of the sarcophagus. The fire was quickly extinguished and there are currently no signs of a breach in the inner protective shell. Radiation levels remain stable.
It is noteworthy that Russia launched an attack on the protective containment of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on the very day when the long-awaited security conference began in Munich. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, said that Ukraine will provide the United States with detailed information about Russia’s attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. He also emphasized that the drone attack on Chernobyl angered the participants of the security conference, because they remembered how the world supported the Soviet Union after the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s.
We will remind you that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which is located about 130 km north of Kyiv and only 15 km from the border with Belarus, was occupied by Russian troops at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion – on February 24. On March 31, 2022, Russian troops left the station, but during the occupation, an increase in radiation levels was recorded due to the movement of heavy equipment that raised contaminated dust.
During this time, the Russians held the station’s personnel hostage, which significantly increased the risks to nuclear safety.
Rosatom is involved in nuclear terrorism
Russia became the first country in history to seize nuclear facilities by military means, violating all international norms. The Zaporizhzhia and Chornobyl NPPs were under occupation, which created an unprecedented threat to global nuclear security.
During the storming of the Zaporizhzhya NPP on March 4, 2022, Russian troops fired not only at the auxiliary infrastructure, but also directly at the power units, which could have caused the disaster. Russian missiles have repeatedly flown in the immediate vicinity of the nuclear power plant, although the construction of the blocks is not designed to withstand impacts.
At the Chornobyl NPP, the occupiers damaged the infrastructure, stole critical spare parts and cut off communication with the IAEA. Similar actions continue at the ZNPP: Ukrainian specialists are subjected to torture, and international organizations cannot carry out safety control.
“Rosatom” pond complicit in this terrorism, because its representatives illegally stay at the station, manage processes and contribute to pressure on personnel.
What other actions does the Russian side continue, creating a serious threat to nuclear security?
Shelling of nuclear facilities. Russia continues to bombard nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAEP), the largest in Europe. This increases the risk of a nuclear accident, which can have catastrophic consequences for human health and the environment.
Manipulation with radioactive materials. There are suspicions that Russia is trying to use or manipulate radioactive materials, in particular to create so-called “dirty bombs” — devices capable of spreading radiation over large areas, causing panic and mass evacuations.
Mining of nuclear facilities. In particular, in the case of the ZNPP, Russian troops mined the territory of the station, which increases the probability of a catastrophic incident in the event of escalation or an accident.
Blocking of international missions and observers. Russia blocks the access of international inspectors, such as the IAEA, to nuclear facilities, making it difficult to monitor and control the safety of these facilities.
Information manipulation. Russia actively uses disinformation, manipulating the international public about its actions at nuclear facilities, trying to shift responsibility for threats to Ukraine and international organizations.
The IAEA has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants following the start of a full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. The agency emphasized the dangers of hostilities around nuclear facilities, stressing the serious risks of nuclear security.
Cooperation with the IAEA
Ukraine is active cooperates with the IAEA, receiving technical assistance and consultations in the amount of 500-600 thousand. euros annually, which significantly exceeds the level of Ukraine’s contributions to the IAEA budget. One of the main directions of cooperation is overcoming the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster: since 1990, the IAEA has provided Ukraine with about 16 million dollars for the implementation of 15 projects. In addition, Ukrainian specialists participate in international scientific events and projects, as well as use the experience of the IAEA to improve the level of safety at nuclear power plants, the effective management of radioactive waste, and the introduction of innovative technologies, in particular after the beginning of Russian aggression.
After the start of Russian aggression, Ukraine was able to block Russia’s attempts to use the IAEA platform to recognize the change of jurisdiction over nuclear facilities and materials in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The IAEA, while maintaining its technical role in matters of nuclear safety, continues to apply safeguards to nuclear materials and installations in these territories in accordance with the agreement between Ukraine and the IAEA. Ukraine actively uses the IAEA forum to inform the world about threats to the international regime of nuclear non-proliferation, in particular in connection with the militarization of Crimea and the possible use of nuclear weapons in this territory.
Ukraine for the period 2023-2025 became part of the Board of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Ukraine is planning resume operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP after regaining control over the station. It is expected that two of the six power units can be commissioned within the year, depending on safety guarantees and the level of business activity. Returning to full capacity will take longer due to possible demining of the area and damage to equipment. According to Andrii Gerus, for Russia, the ZNPP is not of great importance for their energy system
Ten days ago, President Zelenskyi promised that the issue of Zaporizhzhya NPP would be discussed at the very first diplomatic meeting. According to him, the station does not work due to the lack of Ukrainian management, it degrades and poses a danger. Zelensky emphasized the need to solve this problem. We are waiting.
