VIENNA: Upcoming UN Meeting to Address Nuclear Safety in Ukraine
The board of governors for the UN nuclear watchdog is set to convene this Friday to talk about safety concerns regarding Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. Many countries have expressed heightened worry over the unstable conditions at these power plants.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s nuclear plants have faced constant disruptions in energy supply due to ongoing attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. This precarious situation has raised fears of a potential nuclear disaster.
In response to the worrying developments, 13 nations, led by the Netherlands, have urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to hold this crucial meeting. In a letter dated January 21, they highlighted their collective anxiety over the serious nuclear safety risks that Ukraine is currently facing.
The letter pointed out that recent attacks have significantly damaged key energy infrastructure, which is vital for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. Just last week, the Chernobyl nuclear power station temporarily lost all its external power.
Meanwhile, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe and under Russian control since March 2022, has been continuously impacted by ongoing military actions. Earlier this month, both Russia and Ukraine agreed to a temporary ceasefire, allowing for repairs to the backup power line that supplies electricity to the plant. This power line had been damaged due to military activities in early January.
Though the six reactors at Zaporizhzhia are currently shut down, the facility still requires electricity for its cooling and security systems. Both Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of endangering nuclear safety by conducting attacks in the vicinity of the plant.
