Kharkiv Remains an Intellectual Stronghold: the International Conference on Nuclear Energy has started at Karazin University

On April 15, 2026, in a safe space at Karazin University, the III International Scientific and Technical Conference named after V. M. Voevodin “Problems of Modern Nuclear Energy” began its work. The event brought together leading scientists, educators, government representatives, and energy sector professionals to discuss strategic issues related to the development and protection of Ukraine’s energy system.

The conference is held under the patronage of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration in partnership with the Ukrainian Nuclear Society, the National Science Center “Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology” (NSC KIPT), and NNEGC “Energoatom”. Symbolically, the event is dedicated to the memory of the outstanding scientist Viktor Voevodin, who would have turned 80 on April 21.

At the beginning of the session, participants honored the memory of Ukraine’s defenders who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the country with a minute of silence.

Special emphasis during the opening of the conference was placed on adapting scientific achievements to the realities of wartime. The Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, spoke about the practical dimension of preserving energy infrastructure: “I would like to thank you for preserving science in Kharkiv. This is extremely important for us. We must implement a number of technical solutions to truly become autonomous. Under any circumstances, we must ensure the functioning of our hospitals and schools, which serve as resilience centers, and, above all, bomb shelters for our people. Therefore, I urge you to adapt all scientific developments, achievements, and even ideas to the conditions we are currently facing.”

Rector of Karazin University, Tetiana Kahanovska, addressed the participants with welcoming remarks: “I am very pleased that this conference, despite all challenges, is taking place in Kharkiv. This means that Kharkiv remains the intellectual stronghold of our country. The war has clearly shown us that energy security is about the resilience of our state. Karazin University takes the training of specialists capable of working at the level of European standards. Today, we are opening a new section—nuclear medicine. This proves that we view nuclear physics comprehensively: not only as a source of energy but also as a tool for saving human lives. The integration of physics and medicine is about life and the future.”

Acting Director General of NSC KIPT, Academician of the NAS of Ukraine, Mykola Azarenkov, highlighted Kharkiv’s historical mission as a center of nuclear science and the prospects of advanced technologies, including small modular reactors: “Why Kharkiv? Kharkiv was a capital, an industrial city, and most importantly, it had a university capable of training scientific personnel. Just four years after the institute was founded, nuclear fission of the lithium atom was reproduced in Kharkiv. Nuclear science is very close to Kharkiv—it originated here and continues today. Currently, work is underway in Kharkiv to develop the active core of small modular reactors, and all materials for nuclear energy are also being developed at our institute.”

The conference will run until April 17. The program covers a wide range of relevant topics, including:

• materials for nuclear energy;
• development of Ukraine’s nuclear energy sector;
• enhancing the safety and efficiency of nuclear power plant operation;
• Euratom Programme information day in Ukraine;
• nuclear medicine;
• radiation and environmental safety in radioactive waste management.

Karazin University expresses gratitude to its partners and participants for fruitful cooperation. We believe that the outcomes of the discussions and the innovative solutions developed will make Ukraine even stronger, more resilient, and energy independent!