Ukrainian officials receive crucial nuclear forensics training at US laboratory

A group of Ukrainian officials recently visited Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to learn advanced nuclear forensics techniques crucial for post-detonation analysis in the event of a nuclear attack.

A delegation of 10 Ukrainian soldiers and 10 Security Services members spent a week refining their skills in collecting evidence, particularly debris, to trace the origin of nuclear materials after a detonation, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Nuclear forensics plays a vital role in the US deterrence strategy, enabling the identification of the source of materials used in a nuclear attack. This capability helps ensure accountability, deterring states from engaging in nuclear terrorism. While Ukraine has been involved in nuclear forensics as part of its counter-smuggling efforts, the ongoing war with Russia prompted officials to seek deeper expertise in the post-detonation context.

“Ukraine takes the threat of a Russian nuclear attack very seriously,” said David Chichester, a directorate fellow at INL. He emphasized the importance of the training, noting, “They have tackled it aggressively because the threat is real to them.” Despite the low likelihood of Russia deploying a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, Chichester acknowledged the gravity with which Ukraine approaches this issue.

The training at INL, a world leader in nuclear forensics research, provided Ukrainian officials with hands-on experience in collecting and securing nuclear detonation debris. The team was guided by experts from INL, Argonne National Laboratory, and several other national security agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

These experts, who are part of a specialized US team on call year-round, trained the Ukrainians in debris collection, using protective equipment to sweep for radioactive dust, store the samples in shielded containers, and prepare them for transport.

One Ukrainian participant, speaking through a translator, expressed deep gratitude, stating, “The response capabilities we are learning this week will absolutely be implemented when we return home to Ukraine.” Another official added, “The support and training you are providing to us means more than you know.”

This exercise is part of a broader US initiative that began nearly two decades ago, aiming to develop robust post-detonation forensics capabilities. According to C.J. Johnson, senior adviser to the NNSA’s Ukraine Task Force, the conflict in Ukraine has shaped their approach. “The relationship with Ukraine has prompted some changes in DFO,” he said. “We had to turn responders into teachers.”

Ukraine’s nuclear forensics capacity is evolving rapidly. Until two years ago, it lacked the capability to conduct such detailed forensics, but through this training, the Ukrainian team is now equipped to handle such critical tasks should the worst happen.

“The point of this [exercise] is to build the capability for collecting high-quality samples for analysis,” Johnson explained, highlighting the necessity of continuous training. “There is no better place in the world to do nuclear forensics training than the national labs.”

This collaboration not only strengthens Ukraine’s ability to respond to potential nuclear threats but also fosters valuable international partnerships based on trust and shared expertise.

By Aghakazim Guliyev