To:  Prime-Minister of Ukraine, Volodymyr Groysman
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov
Head of the State Agency of Ukraine on the Exclusion Zone Management, Vitalii Petruk

Dear Sirs,

The triumph of Ukraine is drawing near in implementation of measures to eliminate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and to transform the Shelter Object into an environmentally safe system. On 29 November 2016 the giant structure of the New Safe Confinement (NSC) takes its design position over the Shelter Object. There is no doubt that this landmark event attracts the attention of the entire world community. The NSC is an international project, implemented with a strong international support, but largely by the efforts of Ukrainian professionals.

In addition, on 29 November 2016 the Chernobyl NPP has scheduled to hold two events important to Ukraine: meeting of the Chernobyl Shelter Fund’s Assembly of Contributors and Nuclear Safety Account’s Assembly of Donors, where issues of further implementation of the international projects will be discussed, including the issues of funding.

The construction of Interim Spent Fuel Dry Storage Facility (ISF-2) at the ChNPP industrial site is scheduled for completion in 2017.

Ukraine’s successful implementation of the unique projects of such a scale as the NSC, ISF-2 works for the successful image of our country much better than hundreds of articles and notes published in mass media.

However, the last events show that anti-Ukrainian forces have started the systematic and unprecedented programme targeted at discreditation of our country in the eyes of western partners and break of the international projects which are being implemented both at the Chernobyl NPP site and outside it. I strongly believe that the massive information campaign that criticizes the Ukraine’s refusal to use the Russian nuclear fuel in favour of Westinghouse fuel assemblies; the attempt of illegal takeover of PJSC PTEM – an enterprise which is actively involved into the implementation of Interim Spent Fuel Dry Storage Facility (ISF-2) construction project; the information attacks that disgrace the honour and dignity of ChNPP managers, - all these are actions of the same origin aimed to undermine the energy independence of our country, as well as negatively impact on image of Ukraine as the country which is able to successfully cope with implementation of the largest international projects.

It is possible that prerequisites to directly discredit the Chernobyl NPP as an enterprise can be found in the criminal redistribution of a market of metal scrap which is transported out from the Exclusion Zone. At the same time, the specific concern is raised by the fact that some state authorities have been actively involved into this activity posting pre- wrong, slanderous and unconfirmed information on their resources. Besides, the possible option is that the indirect goal of the disseminated information attacks regarding “the radioactive metal that freely walks in Ukraine” is to deliberately drive out our country from the international market of metal sale.

In any case the issue of radioactive waste management within the Exclusion Zone and at the Chernobyl NPP requires the most detailed and thorough inspection.

In this regard, I consider that it is necessary to establish an intergovernmental commission capable to study the situation in full, conduct objective and impartial inspection of all circumstances pertaining to sale of metal within the Exclusion Zone, and give the conclusion to the above-mentioned problem, including the issue regarding the works on the Chernobyl NPP equipment dismantling and metal sale. I think it is expedient to include into this commission representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine, National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, State Agency of Ukraine on the Exclusion Zone Management and other interested institutions. As for me, I guarantee the provision of all available to me information and materials. I am ready in every possible way to promote the proper investigation.

From my point of view, the importance of this problem is so high that I leave aside the issue of unprecedented pressure of certain forces on me and members of my family using methods of blackmail and threats.

I am convinced that the actions implemented by anti-Ukrainian forces are aimed to shake the situation in the country and have direct influence on a level of trust to the country’s leaders, including trust from international financial structures, as well as on the readiness for further cooperation and conclusion of international contracts. Therefore I kindly ask you to put the investigation under your personal control.

Best regards,
Igor Gramotkin
SSE “Chernobyl NPP” Director General