Ukraine requests the cessation of all military operations near nuclear facilities to prevent a nuclear disaster

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Miścenko emphasized, during an event at the UN dedicated to nuclear safety, the need for an immediate halt to all military operations near nuclear facilities, considering the risks of a nuclear disaster in the context of the war with Russia. Miścenko highlighted unprecedented challenges for nuclear safety, including incidents in the Chernobyl area and threats to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. He mentioned a recent attack by a Russian drone on the Chernobyl plant, which damaged the protective cover. The Deputy Minister warned that the deterioration of nuclear facilities could undo decades of international efforts in the field of nuclear safety and stressed that radiation risks know no borders, making the responsibility for preventing accidents a common issue for the entire international community. Miścenko reminded of the importance of international mechanisms developed after the Chernobyl disaster, including early warning systems and cooperation with the IAEA.