From the left: Pavel Tishakov (Nordisk Sikkerhet), Roman Yuriev and Maksym Ilchenko (SBGS), Frederic Hauge (Bellona), 
Charlotte Birke (DSA) and State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson (Norwegian MFA) Photo: Bellona

In March 2025, an international meeting focused on enhancing radiation and nuclear safety at Ukraine’s borders was held in Oslo, hosted by the environmental organization Bellona.

The meeting was attended by State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson (Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Charlotte Birke (Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, DSA), Frederic Hauge (Bellona), Pavel Tishakov (Nordic Security), and representatives of Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service (SBGS) – Roman Yuriev and Maksym Ilchenko.

Challenges for boarder protection

Roman Yuriev, an officer with Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, outlined the serious challenges the border service now faces under wartime conditions and described measures taken to address them. He emphasized ongoing efforts to prevent the illegal movement of radioactive materials, especially across Ukraine’s borders with EU countries and Moldova.

Yuriev could tell that, prior to Russia’s invasion, Ukraine had over 4,000 facilities handling radioactive materials—including nuclear power plants, research reactors, uranium mines, and radioactive waste storage sites. Due to the war, some of these facilities have come under, or have previously been under, the control of Russian occupying forces.

During the meeting, participants discussed ways to strengthen cooperation to better secure Ukraine’s borders against nuclear threats. The Ukrainian delegation expressed gratitude for international support, highlighting that Norway allocated substantial funding between 2015 and 2024 to enhance Ukraine’s nuclear safety. A significant portion of this funding went toward purchasing essential equipment for the border service.

Pavel Tishakov from Nordisk Sikkerhet emphasized that as part of their international technical assistance initiatives, the organization has supplied the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) with vital resources, including radioactive material detection equipment, personal protective gear, specialized vehicles, and portable generators.

Rising Nuclear Risks Demand Stronger International Cooperation

Eivind Vad Petersson stressed that nuclear safety on an international scale is a top priority for Norway. He noted that Norway has long been committed to promoting global radiation safety through both bilateral and multilateral agreements. This issue is central to national security and environmental protection. He also reminded attendees that Norway has been assisting Ukraine with radiation safety efforts since the 1986 Chornobyl disaster. The State Secretary emphasized that the Russian invasion has greatly escalated the risk of nuclear accidents. He added that Russia now controlling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant poses a global threat.

Despite significant efforts, Petersson highlighted that the war continues to present new and escalating challenges, from the threat of nuclear accidents to the potential use of nuclear weapons. He concluded that Norway has reinforced its support for Ukraine through funding, technical aid, and collaboration with international organizations like the IAEA.

Charlotte Birke highlighted the NAnsen Support Program for Ukraine, which aims to reduce the risk of nuclear accidents and prevent the illicit trafficking of radioactive materials. As a senior adviser at the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), she noted that Norway was one of the first nations to extend support to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine after the onset of the Russian invasion.

Frederic Hauge, founder of Bellona, also underscored the significant threat posed by Russia. He stressed that the smuggling of nuclear materials remains a serious concern, and the work of Ukrainian border guards is crucial in preventing such threats. He further pointed out that Russia’s disregard for international law and nuclear safety has escalated risks for all of Europe.