Nuclear Security During Armed Conflict: Lessons From Ukraine, Hybrid Event, March 16th, 2023

Nuclear Security During Armed Conflict: Lessons From Ukraine, Hybrid Event, March 16th, 2023

• Hybrid event “Nuclear Security During Armed Conflict: Lessons From Ukraine” on Thursday, 16 March 2023, 13 hours CET.

Stockholm, March 7th, 2023

The international nuclear security framework aims to prevent, detect and respond to malicious or unauthorized acts perpetuated by non-state actors. The attacks on nuclear installations in Ukraine by the Russian military in 2022 thus presented new—and extraordinary—challenges to that framework. After all, no prior military attack had been directed at a large, operational nuclear power plant with a substantial inventory of irradiated nuclear fuel. The accompanying challenges encompassed not only the national nuclear security regimes of Ukraine and its neighbouring countries but the whole of the international nuclear security framework.

This hybrid event will present the results of a research project on the topic of nuclear security during armed conflict. Panellists will discuss the history of attacks on nuclear installations and assess changes to the nuclear security regimes in the Black Sea region precipitated by those attacks. In addition, they will explore ways to enhance the international nuclear security framework in the future, particularly in response to extraordinary events.

The event is hosted by the Maltese Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the Odesa Center for Nonproliferation (OdCNP) and funded by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Introduction and Welcoming Remarks (other speakers to be confirmed)

• Tristan Gilchrist, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission Valletta

• Moderator

  • Vitaly Fedchenko, Senior Researcher, SIPRI

• Speakers

  • Vitaly Fedchenko, Senior Researcher, #SIPRI

  • Dr Iryna Maksymenko, Senior Research Fellow, ODCNP

  • Dr Polina Sinovets, Director, OdCNP

• Commentators

  • Rhonda Evans, Head of Programme Development, World Institute of Nuclear Security

  • Dr Anita Nilsson, former Director, Office of Nuclear Security, International Atomic Energy Agency

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.