Ukraine breaks russia’s monopoly on fuel supply for Soviet-designed reactors – Oleh Korikov

Ukraine’s decision to stop using russian nuclear fuel for soviet-designed reactors has set an example for European countries. Currently, three European countries are using Westinghouse nuclear fuel, and two more have signed contracts to use non-russian-designed fuel in the near future.

This was emphasized by Oleh Korikov, Head of Ukraine’s State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate and Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

“Today we serve as an example for European countries. I would like to remind you that in Europe there are 19 power units of the former Soviet design operating in five countries. Significant progress has been made: of these five countries, three – Finland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic – are already using Westinghouse nuclear fuel to varying degrees. Slovakia and Hungary have signed contracts and will soon begin using non-russian-designed fuel. Ukraine has effectively broken russia’s monopoly on the supply of nuclear fuel for soviet-designed reactors. European countries are now accelerating their efforts in this direction, and we are seeing significant progress. This means that russia is losing these markets, revenue and influence,” Korikov emphasized.

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