Statement of Alexander Lukashevich, Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, upon possible consequences of military action against Syria for nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation

In light of aggravated situation around Syria our special concern is caused by the risk of military action against this country that could affect facilities sensitive in terms of nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation.
Thus, if a shell, intended or unintended, were to hit the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) near Damascus, the consequences could be catastrophic: the likely contamination of adjacent areas by highly-enriched uranium and radioactive decay products as well as the virtual impossibility to ensure the subsequent accounting, control and security of nuclear material located at the facility.
In order to prevent events from taking a negative turn, we strongly urge the IAEA Secretariat to react promptly to the current situation and present Member States with an analysis of risks related to the possible U.S. airstrikes on the MNSR and other facilities in Syria.