AOn Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a detailed report on the state of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. IAEA Secretary General Rafael Grossi reiterated his concern at the “unprecedented” situation in Ukraine, which is the first to see a military conflict amid the facilities of an extensive civilian nuclear program. “A nuclear incident can have significant repercussions inside the country and beyond its borders.” Until stability is restored, interim measures must be taken “urgently” to prevent military action from causing physical damage, leading to a possible nuclear incident. Above all, Grossi calls for the establishment of a security zone around Zaporizhia. The IAEA is ready to start consultations immediately.
Four IAEA employees returned on Monday from inspecting the contested Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, two more will remain present until further notice “so that the agency can monitor the situation there and make independent determinations,” the IAEA said. Its Director General Rafael Grossi also announced a report to the UN Secretary General. Grossi led the delegation that arrived at the Zaporizhia power plant last Thursday, but returned to Vienna at the end of last week.
Also reserve line cut on Monday
According to the IAEA, the inspectors recorded the physical damage to the nuclear facility, checked the functionality of the main and back-up safety systems and found out about the working conditions of the Ukrainian operating crew. However, this is now under the supervision of the Russian occupiers. According to the announcement, IAEA inspectors have also investigated the “urgent” questions about securing the nuclear material. Among other things, this raises the question of whether material was secretly diverted.
In the immediate vicinity of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, despite the IAEA inspection, fighting with heavy weapons is evidently still going on. Russian and Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Tuesday that there was a power outage in the nearby town of Enerhodar after repeated artillery shelling. A spokesman for the Russian occupation forces said there were seven artillery hits in the area of a training center at the power plant.
On Monday, the external power supply to the power plant was switched off by the Ukrainian grid. As Ukrainian authorities informed the IAEA, the connection between the nuclear power plant and a nearby thermal power plant had been cut in order to get a fire under control. It is the less powerful reserve line, the main line was already interrupted last Friday. The necessary power supply for the safe operation of the nuclear power plant, one of whose six reactors is currently producing the electricity required for this, is nevertheless guaranteed, the IAEA quoted the statement from the Ukrainian authorities as saying. A power supply is essential, especially for cooling, if necessary from diesel generators.