Status: 03/29/2023 5:57 p.m
Europe’s largest nuclear facility is repeatedly under attack. Now IAEA chief Grossi has visited the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia. He warns of a catastrophe if Moscow and Kiev do not agree on a security concept.
During a visit to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned of a “catastrophe” at the Russian-occupied plant in southern Ukraine.
“Obviously the situation isn’t improving,” Grossi said. “On the contrary, military activities around the area are increasing,” he said following the visit, according to Russian media. He had previously visited Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in September.
IAEA chief seeks agreement
He wants to try to find a compromise between Moscow and Kiev to secure the plant. “I’m trying to prepare and propose realistic measures that will be approved by all sides,” Grossi said. It is regarding both the nuclear power plant itself and the surrounding area.
“A catastrophe must be prevented,” added the IAEA chief. To this end, both sides should agree on “certain principles, certain obligations – including not attacking the power plant”. Safety precautions are now being discussed with both sides to prevent a nuclear incident with radioactive effects. “I’m an optimist in the sense that I believe this is possible,” emphasized Grossi.
New fee for IAEA specialists
State television in Russia showed IAEA experts wearing UN bulletproof vests crossing the front line between the Kiev-controlled and Moscow-controlled parts of Zaporizhia Oblast. They therefore covered part of the way on foot at a destroyed bridge.
The main goal of the talks with the leaders in Kiev and Moscow is nuclear safety, said the IAEA chief. Everything must be done to protect people. The 18-strong delegation got an overview of the security situation of the power plant, which was repeatedly shelled. Only a few IAEA specialists stayed. They are planned as a temporary contingent for the nuclear experts currently stationed there.
Zelenskyy: No security under Russian control
Before his visit to Zaporizhia, Grossi met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday. He emphasized that it was impossible to guarantee the nuclear safety of the nuclear power plant as long as it was controlled by Russia.
According to Russian state news agencies, Renat Karchaa, who advises the current Russian operator of the nuclear power plant, Rosenergoatom, said that Grossi’s visit was “an ordinary business meeting” that “won’t change anything dramatically”. But “of course anything can happen”.
Nuclear power plants come under fire once more and once more
Russia captured the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine shortly following the start of its war of aggression and has occupied it ever since. With its six blocks and a net output of 5700 megawatts, the plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Moscow and Kiev repeatedly accuse each other of being responsible for attacks around and on the nuclear power plant.
The power plant has been disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid several times due to shelling in the region, even though it needs a constant power supply for safe operation. In order to guarantee this, emergency generators had to step in in the meantime.
