Ukraine: ‘Material integrity’ of Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant ‘has been violated several times’ |
General Manager Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke on Thursday after he and IAEA experts visited Europe’s largest nuclear plant, which has come under constant shelling in recent weeks, raising fears of a disaster.
“Obviously the factory, and the physical integrity of the plant has been violated multiple times. [Whether] accidental [or deliberately], we don’t have the factors to judge that. But this is a fact that we must recognize, and this is something that cannot continue to happen,“He told journalists.
“Wherever you are, where you stand, whatever you think about this war, this is impossible, and this is why we are trying to come up with certain mechanics and the presence of our people there, to try a better place.”
The Zaporizhzhia plant has six of the 15 nuclear reactors in Ukraine.
It has been occupied by Russian troops since the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, now in its seventh month.
Both sides accused the other of shelling the factory.
Maintain presence
An IAEA expert delegation finally arrived there on Thursday, after months of diplomatic negotiations.
In a video posted on his official Twitter account that day, Mr. Grossi reported that the experts had completed the initial tour of the factory, although there is still much work to be done.
“My team continues,” he said, adding “most importantly, we are establishing a constant presence from the IAEA here. ”
© IAEA
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi (second from left) and the IAEA team of experts arrive at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine.
A 14-member delegation deployed from Vienna on Monday to work to ensure nuclear safety and security at the plant, carry out critical protection operations and assess the working conditions of employees. Ukrainian staff there.
New shelling last week hit the area of two so-called plant specials, located about 100 meters from the reactor buildings, as well as the overpass area.
‘Code Red’
At a news conference he held on Friday night, shortly after returning to Vienna, the IAEA’s home country, Mr. Grossi said that color codes for how dangerous the plant is, meaning it is “a code” big red”.
“Why is it a big red? Because we saw military activity around the factory and I could see, myself and my team, the impact of the holes/signs on the buildings, the shellingThis means that the physical integrity of the facility has been violated not once but many times. “
When it comes to safety and security systems, “fully functional, we rate it in yellow because some of them or most of them are workingand has been operating relatively well, but there have been disruptions,” he told reporters at Vienna airport.
‘Modus vivendi’
Regarding the operating conditions, where Ukrainians and Russians are sharing the operation of the plant, “we don’t set it completely red for one reason, which is that the plant continues to operate and has a ‘modus’ vivendi’ professional…they worked together and the plant, obviously because it worked – two units, as of today, are still in operation, including unit 5was crammed a few days ago and now it’s back up and running. “
He said Zaporizhzhya, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, should also be considered a “big industrial facility because in any industrial facility you need spare parts. There are things that need to be replaced and so on and so forth. With the unusual situation of the war, it was obvious that the logistics chain was interrupted.“
WHO donates ambulance to Ukraine
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered 11 first aid ambulances to Ukraine amid ongoing attacks on the country’s health authorities. report on Friday.
These vehicles will be handed over to the Department of Emergency Medical Services in Lviv, and then distributed throughout the territory of Ukraine.
Contributions have been made through support from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), ensuring that urgently needed humanitarian assistance reaches those in crisis.
© WHO / Viktor Moskaliuk
Ukraine’s Minister of Health Viktor Liashko (left) receives the keys to 11 ambulances from Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine.
Timely shipping saves lives
Dr Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative in Ukraine, said: “These ambulances will save lives and go one step further in ensuring timely access to emergency services during war is reinforced and maintain”.
He spoke at the handover ceremony along with Ukraine’s Minister of Health, Dr. Viktor Liashko, who emphasized that international support is a powerful tool to maintain the country’s health system during this time. war.
He said: “Emergency paramedics were the first to arrive at the scene of the accident and did everything they could to save lives.
“Thanks to modern ambulances, paramedics not only promptly transport injured or critical people from the scene of the accident to a medical facility, but also stabilize their condition during transport. transfer.”
WHO and partners donated more than 30 ambulances to Ukraine’s Ministry of Health since the war began on February 24, with more deliveries expected by year-end.
The agency has also delivered more than 1,300 tons of life-saving medical supplies to the country, including generators, oxygen supplies to medical facilities, and drugs to treat non-communicable diseases.
Winter support for vulnerable groups
Also on Friday:
A United Nations Humanitarian Fund has allocated $70 million to support the start of winter and address the needs of people with disabilities, elderly people and vulnerable women in Ukraine.
“This is the Foundation’s largest single allocation since its inception in 2019. Funding goes directly to local civil society organizations and frontline volunteer groups.” speak Eri Kaneko, United Nations Deputy Spokesperson, speaks to journalists in New York.
The Fund is managed by the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.
About $118 million has been released so far this year to help five million people across Ukraine with food, water, shelter, medical interventions and educational support.
