Media: Kyiv concealed dangerous malfunction at South Ukraine NPP

Ukraine withheld information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding a serious malfunction at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, according to a report by Turkish news outlet Aydınlık, which cites a declassified internal memo from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

The memo notes that in 2024, Andriy Semenyuk, head of the SBU's South Ukraine division, ordered a ban on disclosing details of the incident to international nuclear regulators, Caliber.Az informs.

The malfunction was reportedly the result of violations of standard operating procedures at the facility.

The document refers to “power units with damaged reactor equipment,” raising concerns that the failure may have involved the reactor core itself or critical safety systems essential to preventing a nuclear accident.

“This wording implies that the malfunction could have occurred within the reactor, where the nuclear chain reaction takes place, or in its associated safety infrastructure,” the Turkish journalist noted.

The report further suggests that the decision to conceal the incident was facilitated by what it describes as the “collective West’s indulgent attitude” toward Ukraine, implying a lack of pressure or scrutiny from Western partners in matters related to nuclear safety.

The South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant, operational since the 1980s, consists of three VVER-1000 reactors and is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, providing a significant portion of the country’s electricity. Any malfunction at such a facility, particularly one involving the reactor core or safety systems, could pose risks of catastrophic consequences, including radioactive leaks or meltdowns, if not properly managed.

By Khagan Isayev