Ukraine has strongly dismissed claims suggesting it could be just months away from developing a nuclear weapon as a last-resort measure against Russia. The allegations, which originated from a report by the Centre for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies-a Ukrainian military think tank-have sparked significant debate. According to the report, Kyiv could construct a rudimentary nuclear device using spent nuclear fuel from its nine operational power plants, potentially positioning such a move as a bargaining chip against Russian aggression.
The think tank's analysis, reportedly shared with Ukrainian defense officials, contended that should Kyiv be left without U.S. support under the incoming Trump administration, rapidly building a basic nuclear weapon could act as a deterrent against Russia's ongoing invasion. However, Ukraine's government quickly shot down the claims.
"We do not possess, develop, or intend to acquire nuclear weapons," Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, said. "Ukraine works closely with the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] and is fully transparent to its monitoring, which rules out the use of nuclear materials for military purposes." His statement underscored Kyiv's adherence to international agreements, including the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which Ukraine remains committed.
The allegations emerged as Ukraine's strategic position becomes increasingly precarious, especially following the recent U.S. election victory of Donald Trump. Trump has signaled a desire to end the conflict quickly and may reduce U.S. financial and military support for Kyiv-a scenario that has heightened concerns in the Ukrainian government. Since Russia's invasion began nearly 1,000 days ago, the war has become a protracted, grinding conflict with high human and economic costs.
The think tank's report asserted that Ukraine possesses sufficient quantities of reactor-grade plutonium-an estimated seven tons-to manufacture multiple warheads with a tactical yield comparable to one-tenth of "Fat Man," the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. Co-author Oleksii Yizhak from Ukraine's National Institute for Strategic Studies stated that a basic device "would be enough to destroy an entire Russian airbase or concentrated military, industrial, or logistics installations."
Valentyn Badrak, the think tank's director, emphasized Ukraine's existential plight in the face of Russian occupation. "If the Russians take Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians will be killed under occupation," he said. "There are millions of us who would rather face death than go to the gulags."
The claims arrive amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with reports of North Korean soldiers training in Russia and speculation surrounding a potential military pact between Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. Footage allegedly depicting North Korean troops training alongside Russian forces has only fueled concerns about Moscow's deepening alliances.
Despite the claims, Ukraine's leadership has sought to reaffirm its commitment to diplomacy and non-proliferation. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clarified his stance after remarks about either joining NATO or pursuing nuclear deterrence. He stressed that his comments highlighted the failures of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Ukraine surrendered its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances-a promise many believe has been broken by Russian aggression.
The Times report indicated that Ukraine's nuclear expertise, combined with its access to reactor-grade plutonium, has led to conjecture about its nuclear potential. However, Kyiv remains resolute in its denial. Tykhyi reiterated Ukraine's adherence to international norms: "We are committed to the NPT. We do not possess, develop, or intend to acquire nuclear weapons."
