Stop the nuclear threat!

On the night of March 3-4, the Russian aggressor launched missiles and artillery strikes on the largest nuclear power plant (NPP) in Ukraine and entire Europe in Energodar. As of now, the fire has been contained, all six WWER-1000 reactors weren't damaged, but the station's territory has been seized and controlled by Russian invaders. Therefore, the radioactive threat remains relevant not only for Ukraine but for Europe and the world.

Moreover, the infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant remains seized by Russian terrorists. The whole world remembers the global nature of the socio-environmental consequences and radiation threats to the lives of millions of people following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explosion in 1986.

Today, there are 15 nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Each of them becomes a potential target of a reckless aggressor during the war and poses a severe threat to the lives of millions of people. The destruction of nuclear power plants could destroy or radioactively contaminate our natural home given by the Creator - Ukraine, Europe, and the whole planet.

In the light of faith in God the Creator, we are aware of our shared responsibility for all of God's creation - nature, and especially for human life. We call on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is committed and responsible for building nuclear energy for peaceful purposes and its security worldwide, to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of millions of people in Ukraine and abroad from the threat of a "peaceful atom" in the conditions of war in our country.

We appeal to the IAEA and all international environmental organizations, including our long-standing partners - the International Environmental Organization "Responsibility for Creation" (based in Vienna, Austria) - to do everything possible to make a political decision and implement an A2 / AD zone (Anti Access/ Area Denial) over the territory of Ukraine, taking into account the risks and the location of all nuclear power plants as well as radioactive waste disposal facilities.

We also call on the conscience and common sense of those who give orders to attack and fire on nuclear power plants. We remember that as a result of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986, approximately 50,000 square kilometers of Russian territory and the territory of Belarus were radioactively contaminated besides Ukraine. The deadly effects of radiation do not recognize any borders! Do not give criminal orders to shell nuclear power plants which threaten not only the security of Ukraine but also the health and lives of millions of people in Russia and Belarus!

May the Lord, our Creator and Savior, enlighten and convert those responsible for the evil of the war in Ukraine, remove the "peaceful atom" threat, stop the sufferings of people and all God's creation - nature, and give peace.

Prof. Dr. Volodymyr Sheremeta,

Head of the UGCC Bureau for Ecology