UN issues horror nuclear warning at Ukrainian plant | World | News

Safety at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is rapidly “deteriorating”, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency has warned.

Meanwhile, one expert has suggested Volodymyr Zelenksy may be planning to seize a nuclear power plant in Kursk to use as a bargaining chip to regain control of the Ukrainian facility

International Atomic Energy Agency director General Rafael Grossi urged “maximum restraint from all sides” after an IAEA team at the plant reported an explosive carried by a drone detonated just outside its protected area.

According to Mr Grossi, the impact was “close to the essential water sprinkle ponds” and about 100 metres from the only power line supplying the plant.

The IAEA team at the plant has reported intense military activity in the surrounding area in the past week, it said. One alarming clip showed thick black smoke rising from the power plant, although this was extinguished before safety was seriously compromised.

Kyiv and Moscow have traded blame for attacks near the power plant since it was captured by Russian forces early in the 2022 invasion, including a fire at the facility last weekend. Grossi said the blaze had caused “considerable damage,” but posed no immediate danger to nuclear safety.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Grossi said: “Yet again we see an escalation of the nuclear safety and security dangers facing the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant.

“I remain extremely concerned and reiterate my call for maximum restraint from all sides and for strict observance of the five concrete principles established for the protection of the plant.”

A site visit revealed the damage appeared to have been caused by a drone equipped with an explosive payload.

There were no casualties and no impact on any NPP equipment. However, there was an impact on the road between the two main gates of ZNPP.

The ISAMZ team has reported that intense military activity in the area – including very close to the plant – throughout the last week.

The team has heard frequent explosions, repetitive heavy machine guns, rifle fire and artillery at various distances from the plant.

There is no sign of the military activity in the vicinity of ZNPP abating, despite Director General Grossi’s repeated calls for restraint.

On August 10, ZNPP informed the IAEA team that artillery struck the local power and water substation in the nearby city Enerhodar, which is home to most ZNPP staff.

The attack failed two transformers, leading to a city-wide power outage. As a result, water had to be supplied using diesel generators.

The following day, the IAEA team was informed by ZNPP that power had been restored in the city.

A significant fire at one of the ZNPP cooling towers last week resulted in considerable damage, although there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety.

Also this week, IAEA teams maintaining the Agency’s continued presence at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs, as well as at the Chornobyl site, reported frequent air raid alarms and drone attacks.

Mr Grossi continued: “Nuclear power plants are designed to be resilient against technical or human failures and external events including extreme ones, but they are not built to withstand a direct military attack, and neither are they supposed to, just as with any other energy facility in the world.

This latest attack highlights the vulnerability of such facilities in conflict zones and the need to continue monitoring the fragile situation.”

Additionally, this week Mr Grossi continued discussions on the recent events in the territory of the Russian Federation, including the proximity of military action to an important and operating nuclear power plant.

Mr Grossi has said he is ready to assess the situation, including by visiting the plant.

Speaking to the New Voice of Ukraine, nuclear safety analyst Mykhailo Zhirokhov suggested Ukraine may be planning to seize the Kursk facility after its incursion into the territory.

In such circumstances, the IAEA could potentially facilitate a swap, Mr Zhirokov added.