The year 2022 changed the focus of international co-operation

STUK's international co-operation is based on its strong expertise in radiation and nuclear safety, security arrangements and nuclear safeguards. The long experience as a supervisory authority combined with proactivity in the sharing of practices and experiences has given STUK a strong international reputation and laid the ground for close co-operation between authorities around the world.

The war of aggression against Ukraine launched by Russia at the end of February 2022 caused STUK an immediate need to review its international co-operation priorities and to freeze traditional co-operation with Russia in terms of the safety of nuclear power plants located near the Finnish border.

Contacts with the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) and its technical support organization had already begun before the start of the Russian war of aggression, and there were plans to refurbish the mobile radiation detection vehicle delivered to Ukraine in 2011. However, the war changed the situation, and the need for additional support was immediate. Ukraine and the international community urgently needed to ensure that the war-torn country maintains its ability to control both its nuclear facilities and environmental radiation.

During 2022, STUK supported Ukraine with equipment shipments and expert assistance. In March 2022, STUK sent an expert team to the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) in Brussels to provide support and information on issues related to radiation and nuclear accidents. STUK's four experts worked in alternate weeks for more than a month in the ERCC’s group maintaining the situation picture of Ukraine.

In September 2022, SNRIU and STUK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation and exchange of information in the field of nuclear and radiation safety. Through Nordic co-operation, STUK also participated in assisting the laboratories in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.

This year, STUK will continue to work closely with the radiation and nuclear safety authorities of different countries to support the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine in difficult times. Recent events and their possible development require stronger co-operation between like-minded countries in order to ensure radiation and nuclear safety, security of supply and sustainable development.

An assessment of the safety outlook of Russian nuclear power plants located near the Finnish border was carried out in 2022. STUK will continue to monitor the development of the situation on a regular basis with the help of publicly available information.

Read more:

Highlights of International Cooperation for Safety 2022 in Julkari