The UK secretary for business, energy & industrial strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng, has announced a £5 million support fund which go toward providing safety and security equipment to the civil nuclear sector in Ukraine.
The funding will go toward the provision of priority equipment such as protective equipment, communications and radiation monitoring equipment.
This, the government says, will enable robust safety and security to be reinstated at Ukraine’s nuclear sites following attacks by Russian troops during the invasion.
The provision of the equipment to help shore up security of nuclear sites will also help detect any illicit movements of nuclear material within Ukraine and across its borders with Russia, following the latter’s seizing of the Chernobyl site.
Kwarteng said: “Energy systems play an indispensable role in ensuring national security and economic resilience.
“Today the UK is ramping up our support to the Ukrainian people in their time of need by helping reconnect power across the country and protecting the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear sector, ensuring their frontline is fully equipped in the face of Russia’s brutality.”
Melinda Simmonds, the British ambassador to Ukraine, commented: “Ensuring Ukraine has access to available energy will not only make sure the economy continues to function, but will also keep people warm and allow hospitals to provide emergency healthcare when it’s needed.
“I’m proud of all the UK is doing to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”
The announcement by Kwarteng follows last week’s pledge by foreign secretary Liz Truss to provide a £10 million Energy Support Fund to maintain the smooth running of Ukraine’s energy systems throughout the war, enabling essential repairs to energy infrastructure which will reconnect power across the country.
The full package outlined by Truss included immediate and longer-term support for Ukraine, with UK businesses lending their expertise to help hasten Ukraine’s economic recovery.
Overall, UK financial support for the Ukrainian energy sector is now valued at £22 million, including the donation of over 850 generators, valued at £7 million. These generators are already being put to use, helping power hospitals and other essential services such as shelters.
