The official transfer of authorities between the rotating missions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) took place at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant. This is the 39th changeover of experts monitoring nuclear and physical safety at Ukrainian nuclear power plants in wartime. The event was attended by Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Oleh Korikov, management of the branch “SS “South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant”, and representatives of both IAEA rotation teams.
For three weeks, the experts of the 38th rotation were conducting an independent assessment of the safety situation at the South Ukraine NPP, interacting with the plant personnel and specialists of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate. In his farewell speech, head of the mission emphasized that rotation was especially important for him, as it became the last in his two-year work in Ukraine. “Over these years, Ukraine has become my second home. I hope to be back here again, but in peacetime,” head of the 38th IAEA team said.
His colleague expressed her gratitude to the employees of the South Ukrainian NPP, emphasizing the following: “Despite the constant threats, you manage to maintain high standards of nuclear safety and security. This is impressive. I really hope that the war will end soon, and we will meet not as colleagues, but as friends.”
Representatives of the 39th rotation mission assured that they would continue their important work – independent monitoring of radiation safety, emergency preparedness and nuclear protection of the energy enterprise.
For his part, Chairman of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, Oleh Korikov, made emphasis on the importance of international monitoring in wartime: “Ukraine invited the IAEA mission to our nuclear power plants to demonstrate openness and transparency. This is an evidence that our nuclear power plants are operated in accordance with international safety standards, even in such difficult conditions.”
Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate also stressed that the information obtained by IAEA experts becomes available to everyone, which helps the international community objectively assess the consequences of the war for Ukraine’s nuclear sector.
