“Military actions near such a large nuclear facility can lead to very serious consequences,” Grossi said at the meeting requested by Russia, which was marked by resounding calls for allowing Agency technical experts to visit the site amid growing safety concerns.
IAEA has been in regular contact with both Ukraine and Russia to ensure that they have the clearest picture possible of the evolving situation.
Europe’s largest nuclear plant collapsed
Providing an overview, the head of the IAEA said that on August 5, the Zaporizhzhia plant – Europe’s largest – was shelled, causing several explosions near electrical cabinets and blackouts.
One reactor unit was disconnected from the grid, activated the emergency protection system and put the generator into operation to ensure power supply.
The senior UN official said there was also a shelling of a nitrogen oxygen station. While firefighters have extinguished the blaze, repairs are still subject to inspection and evaluation.
No immediate threat
He said that the preliminary assessment by IAEA experts indicated that there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety as a result of shelling or other military actions.
However, “this could change at any time,” warned Mr. Grossi.
Overarching goal
He recalled his recent address until Tenth Summary Conference of the Participating Parties Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treatywhere he outlined seven indispensable pillars that are crucial to nuclear safety and security.
These include aspects related to the physical integrity of the plant, off-site power supply, cooling systems, and emergency preparedness measures.
“All of these pillars have been damaged if not completely breached at one point or another during this crisis,” the IAEA chief stressed.
“Any nuclear disaster is unacceptable and therefore preventing it should be our overarching goal.”
He suggested both sides cooperate with the UN atomic agency.
“This is a serious hour, a serious hour, and the IAEA must be allowed to proceed with its mission in Zaporizhzhia as soon as possible.”
Blame the transaction
Presenting his case, the Russian delegate said that Ukrainian forces used heavy artillery against Zaporizhzhia on August 5, shelling the factory during a shift change to intimidate employees – workers their own people.
He asserted that on August 6 those forces attacked with cluster bombs, and on August 7, an increase in strength occurred.
The Russian ambassador blamed Kyiv for refusing to sign a tripartite document issued by the IAEA, stressing that Moscow strictly adheres to the seven principles of the IAEA Director General.
In return, the representative of Ukraine said that the withdrawal of Russian troops and the return of the garrison to Ukraine’s legal control was the only way to eliminate the nuclear threat in Zaporizhzhia.
The Ambassador of Ukraine emphasized the need to send a mission to the site and negotiated the methods with this Agency.
“Despite their public statements, the occupants used manipulative methods and unjustified conditions to visit the site,” he said.
Given the militarization of this site by the armed forces of Russia, such a task must include qualified specialists in military aspects.
