Enhancing Ukraine’s Nuclear Safeguards Expertise at ENEN Training

Safeguards remain a highly relevant issue in today’s world and are a key element of the comprehensive 3S approach – Safety, Security and Safeguards.

To strengthen national capacity in the field of safeguards, an international training course was held in Belgium, organized by the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) with the support of the European Union. The event brought together participants from various countries – both young professionals and experienced experts in the nuclear energy sector.

The training program included lectures, interactive sessions and teamwork on realistic safeguard system application scenarios.

Particular focus was given to safeguards for operating nuclear facilities and their consideration in nuclear energy development planning using the INPRO methodology (IAEA).

Kateryna Pilyuhina, Program Manager/Head of Nuclear Safeguards and Safety at ENEN, noted “Despite numerous challenges, the project launched in 2019 has achieved significant results: we have implemented two intakes of the master’s program, four ESARDA course editions and two hands-on safeguards training sessions – totaling 129 graduates from various countries. It is crucial not only to gain proficiency in the technical aspects but also to deeply understand the legal and analytical context of nuclear safeguards.”

Ukraine was represented at the training by Oleksii Dybach, Director of the “INTENSA Center,” a branch of the State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety:

“The training was extremely informative and comprehensive. Particularly valuable was the opportunity to learn about the practices of regulatory authorities in European countries, their interaction with Euratom and the IAEA, and the technical solutions applied to ensure safeguards in advanced nuclear power plant designs, especially in small modular reactors. The event was well organized, with a balanced program and meaningful practical components, including a trial inspection at a research reactor.”

In the European Union, nuclear safeguards are implemented on the basis of the Euratom Treaty and trilateral agreements between Euratom, its Member States and the IAEA. As part of its EU integration process, Ukraine will need to harmonize its national legislation and current practices with the relevant European procedures.

To support EU candidate countries, the European Commission has launched the PEUSA (Preparation for Euratom Safeguards) project for 2025–2027, in which Ukraine is participating.