Situation is untenable at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant says IAEA Expert

Donate X.com Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn


“The current situation is untenable and the best action to ensure the safety and security of #Ukraine’s nuclear facilities and its people would be for this armed conflict to end now,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General to the United Nations Security Council.

fresh nuclear fuel and the solid radioactive waste storage facility

Images like this within the report have alarmed officials. The IAEA team observes the damage caused by shelling on the roof of the special building at the ZNPP that houses, among other items, the fresh nuclear fuel and the solid radioactive waste storage facility.

“The difference between having the IAEA at the site and not having us there is like day and night. I remain gravely concerned about the situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) – this hasn’t changed – but the continued presence of the IAEA will be of paramount importance in helping to stabilize the situation. I’m immensely proud of the critically important and courageous work the IAEA team is now able to perform at the ZNPP,” Director General Grossi said on 3 September 2022.

Photo: Cover of Ukraine-2nd Summary Report September 2022. Click to download
“The IAEA is ready to start immediately the consultations leading to the urgent establishment of such a nuclear safety and security protection zone at the ZNPP.”

The (IAEA) team closely witnessed shelling in the vicinity of the ZNPP, in particular on 3 September when the team was instructed to evacuate to the ground level of the Administrative Building.

According to the report of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi (see item 30) “During the ISAMZ, the team witnessed shelling in the vicinity of the ZNPP, in particular on 3 September when the team was instructed to evacuate to the ground level of the Administrative Building. Moreover, the team observed damage at different locations caused by reported events with some of the damage being close to the reactor buildings, including damage to the following:

  1. “One turbine lubrication oil tank;
  2. “The roofs of various buildings such as the building for the spent fuel transporter vehicle;
  3. “The special building that houses, among other items, the fresh nuclear fuel and the solid radioactive waste storage facility;
  4. “The new training building;
  5. The building where the Central Alarm Station of the physical protection system is located; and
  6. “The container where the radiation monitoring system is located, in the vicinity of the dry spent fuel storage facility.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Photo Credit: D. Calma/IAEA