War in Ukraine: importance for radiation protection

Illustration of a nuclear power plant Source: Oleksandr/Stock.adobe.com

The beginning of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine around two years ago has changed the perception of security among the German population as well as the risk of a nuclear incident in Europe. Fears of a nuclear accident were particularly high when Russian troops attacked and occupied the largest Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia on 4 March 2022. Since then, there have been repeated incidents – not only in Zaporizhzhia. Fortunately, no radioactive substances were released in any of the cases.

The fighting and the power supply needed to cool the reactors as well as the working conditions of the employees continue to pose a risk to the nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

Three questions for the President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Inge Paulini:

Why is the war in Ukraine an issue for radiation protection?

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

"When Russian troops marched into the Chornobyl (russ.: Chernobyl) exclusion zone at the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the German population became more aware of the danger of an accident in a nuclear power plant. In these early days of the war, the risk of a nuclear accident with supra-regional consequences was nevertheless low because no reactor has been in operation at Chornobyl since 2000.

The situation changed dramatically with the attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on 4 March 2022. The largest nuclear power plant of Europe was suddenly at the centre of the war. There had never been a comparable situation until then. Even though all the reactors of the power plant have been shut down since September 2022, the situation in Zaporizhzhia remains tense. The front continues to run close to the power plant. This means that a critical situation could arise at any time.

There have also been repeated war-related incidents at the other Ukrainian power plants over the past two years.

This shows that as long as the war continues, there is a risk of a nuclear emergency with major consequences for people and the environment. As radiation protection experts, we must be particularly vigilant. Nuclear power plants should not be involved in acts of war.

The impact of a nuclear accident in Ukraine on Germany would probably be limited. In the worst case scenario, this would necessitate the monitoring of feed and food in Germany and possibly a ban on the sale of contaminated products. However, the local impact on people and the environment would be considerable."

What is the BfS doing?

Possible consequences of an emergency are calculated in the situation centre

"Employees of the BfS have been closely monitoring the situation since the beginning of the war. Every day, they check up to 600 radioactivity readings from Ukraine. Twice a day, the experts use weather data to determine the possible consequences of a release of radioactive substances.

The BfS has already analysed the effects that a release of radioactivity from Ukrainian nuclear power plants could have on Germany. This involved determining how the radioactivity would spread.

The result: over the course of a year, air masses moved from Ukraine to Germany in less than 20% of all cases.

With its radioactivity measuring network, the BfS operates an important early warning system. Around 1,700 measuring probes throughout Germany measure natural radiation around the clock and would immediately report any increase. Even a slight increase in radioactivity would not go unnoticed."

What challenges lie ahead of us?

Nuclear power plants near the border

"The threat situation has changed. Even though Germany has phased out nuclear power, there are still many nuclear power plants in neighbouring countries – seven of them within 100 km of the German border. In addition, new threats have emerged. These include cyber attacks and offences involving radioactive materials. Even the use of nuclear weapons can no longer be ruled out.

In the new security situation, Germany needs even stronger radiological emergency protection and good preparation. This includes repeatedly carrying out drills in different crisis scenarios.

The Federal Radiological Situation Centre as a crisis unit in which the BfS plays a central role and the radioactivity measuring network must be classified as part of the critical infrastructure. This is the only way to ensure a smooth flow of information from the federal government to local civil protection.

1,700 probes measure radioactivity in Germany

The radioactivity measuring network of the BfS is being further developed and expanded. The aim is to make it more resistant to external influences such as power outages and cyber attacks. In addition, the measurement network is to be restructured. Around 100 new measuring stations are to be set up in 15 major German cities over the next few years."