PRESS RELEASE : The situation in Ukraine and technical co-operation: UK national statement to IAEA Extraordinary Board [July 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 July 2024.

UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell’s statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Extraordinary Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you, Chair.

On 8 July, Russia launched another prolonged and deadly missile attack against cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih. At least 41 people lost their lives, with over 170 injured. These attacks hit critical national infrastructure and civilian buildings, including – most egregiously – medical facilities.

Chair,

As we know, in Kyiv, the Okhmadyt children’s hospital – Ukraine’s primary provider of specialist paediatric and oncology care – was struck. We are relieved that Director-General Grossi confirmed there are no nuclear safety or security risks at the hospital. However, this incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat to radioactive sources and nuclear materials in Ukraine – a threat that would not exist were it not for Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Chair,

The Russian delegate seems to have suggested that the radiology department of the hospital was not seriously impacted because it is in the hospital basement. It is shocking that Russia, a Rays of Hope partner, seeks to downplay the significance of its attack.

Chair,

Russia claims that “everybody” knows that this heinous attack was not conducted by Russia. That claim is utterly false, and we find Russia’s egregious propaganda campaign against Ukraine deeply shocking.

Throughout Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, Russia has attacked Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian buildings, as a deliberate tactic of war. Perhaps Russia has been surprised by the levels of revulsion at this latest attack; it seems cowardly that Russia insults us with fake news rather than owning its actions.

Unfortunately, this is the same absurdity we see when Russia speaks proudly about its efforts on Nuclear Safety after having taken a Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant by force.

Chair,

Somehow Russia, having illegally invaded another country, is trying to portray itself as a victim here. This is farcical.

Chair,

We must join together here today to condemn Russia’s actions against Ukraine and against the Agency’s Technical Co-operation work as we have done across the other interests of this Agency. We must all support this resolution tabled by Ukraine.