(photo by 24 channel)
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a focal point of concern, prompting renewed efforts to ensure its safety. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi recently concluded talks in Moscow with Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev, emphasizing the escalating urgency of the situation.
“After three years of discussions regarding the ZNPP’s nuclear safety and security, these consultations are now more critical than ever,” Grossi stated on social media platform X. He reiterated the IAEA’s unwavering commitment to preventing a nuclear accident at the plant.
As the Russia-Ukraine war nears its grim third anniversary, these discussions, as reported by Russia’s Tass news agency, extended beyond Zaporizhzhia to encompass the safety and security risks facing the Kursk and Smolensk nuclear power plants, as well as the broader energy infrastructure.
Likhachev, according to Tass, affirmed that the Russian delegation provided the IAEA with detailed information about the measures implemented to guarantee the “unconditional protection” of the Zaporizhzhia plant, addressing both nuclear safety and security concerns.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, comprised of six units, has been under Russian military control since early March 2022, placing it squarely on the frontline between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Since September 2022, the IAEA has maintained a team of experts at the facility, working to mitigate safety and security risks. With the backing of the UN Security Council, the agency has established key principles aimed at safeguarding the plant, notably that it should not be targeted by gunfire, used as a military staging ground, or fired upon from its location.
Prior to the Moscow talks, Grossi visited Ukraine earlier this week, where he assessed a substation and cautioned about the potential dangers to nuclear power plants arising from disruptions to external power supplies. The IAEA’s latest update on Thursday revealed that its team at Zaporizhzhia continues to report “multiple explosions on most days, some very close to the plant,” though, thankfully, no damage to the site has been reported thus far. The precariousness of the situation, however, underscores the vital importance of ongoing dialogue and preventative measures.
