IAEA reports explosions near the occupied ZNPP
6 October 22:36
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported a series of explosions near the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant temporarily occupied by Russia. This is stated in a statement by the IAEA on the X network, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
According to the agency’s statement, the mission’s staff, who are permanently stationed at the plant, recorded several series of incoming and outgoing shelling near the plant.
“Today, the IAEA team, which is permanently located at the plant, heard several series of incoming and outgoing shelling near the facility. Two shells hit 1.25 km from the perimeter of the plant. The shelling increases nuclear safety risks at ZNPP, which has been without external power supply for almost two weeks,” the IAEA said.
The situation with energy supply at the plant remains critical. on September 23, due to damage to a high-voltage line, Zaporizhzhia NPP lost power supply from the Ukrainian power grid.
Currently, the plant is operating exclusively on backup diesel generators, which have enough fuel for about 10 days.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi emphasized that the situation is “extremely unstable” and poses a serious threat to nuclear and radiation safety. If the backup systems are disabled, there is a risk of nuclear fuel meltdown.
Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said that Russia is trying to connect Zaporizhzhya NPP to its own power grid and is trying to involve the IAEA in this process.
It is worth noting that Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the largest in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022 , in fact, since the first weeks of the full-scale invasion. The plant is located in the city of Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia region, which was seized by Russian troops.
The seizure
On the night of March 3 to 4, 2022, Russian troops shelled ZNPP, causing a fire to break out on the territory. Despite the risk of a nuclear catastrophe, fighting continued on the territory of the plant. After that, the Russian military occupied the site and took control.
International concern
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has repeatedly stated the threat of a nuclear accident due to constant shelling, mining, power outages, and restrictions on access to the facility.
The agency’s experts are constantly at ZNPP, but their access to the facilities is often restricted by the Russian administration.
