KIEV, Aug. 23 - Ukraine’s nuclear power generating giant EnergoAtom imported $171 million worth of fresh nuclear fuel in January through June, down from $300.3 million imported in the same period a year ago, the State Statistics Committee reported.

The imports fell as EnergoAtom, which produces almost a half of Ukraine’s power, suspended purchases of nuclear fuel from Westinghouse following a discovery of defects in its assemblies last year.

Russian nuclear fuel producer TVEL remains the only source of fuel for EnergoAtom, and its latest assemblies work longer, requiring less imports, a source at EnergoAtom said.