Russia, Belarus preparing new Union State programmes in the field of nuclear and radiation safety

Belarus and Russia are preparing new programmes in the field of nuclear and radiation safety – as informed by Olga Lugovskaya, the Head of the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor), BelTA reports

"The drafts of two Union State programmes have already been prepared. One of them concerns the development of infrastructure for the management of radioactive waste, and it is related to the construction of a radioactive waste disposal facility in Belarus. However, it will also cover a wider range of other issues, for example, related to the development of human resources, regulatory documents, and research," Ms. Lugovskaya said.

The second programme – preliminary entitled Detectors and Crystals – is connected with the radiation monitoring system: spectrometers, radiometers, dosimeters, radiation situation analysers, and other devices. "This instrument fleet requires periodic modernisation and repair so that the system as a whole continues to perform its functions. Issues related to the component base for the production of these devices are very relevant in the context of sanctions. In the 1990s and 2000s, they were not given sufficient attention either in Belarus or in the Russian Federation, and the revival of the industry is now in focus,” the official noted.

In addition, work continues on the Chernobyl issue. "Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations co-operates with us, and a draft programme of joint activities within the framework of the Union State is almost ready. We hope the Union State programme will be launched in 2025. Moreover, a joint programme in the field of emergency preparedness and response is being intensively developed through the emergencies ministries of Belarus and Russia," Ms. Lugovskaya stated.

Taking into account the Belarusian NPP operation, there are also proposals for a programme that will address the regulation of the safety of the use of nuclear energy facilities. "We will develop this programme together with Rostechnadzor [Federal Service for the Supervision of Environment, Technology and Nuclear Management],” the official added.