The IAEA commented on the attacks in Ukraine, but did not specify who is responsible for them
The Director General of the IAEA, Raphael Grossi, said that the mass shelling of Ukraine in the morning of November 17 led to a worsening of the nuclear safety situation. About this informs agency website.
“Ukraine’s active nuclear power plants this morning cut power production as a precautionary measure following large-scale hostilities across the country that reportedly targeted its power infrastructure, further worsening the nuclear security situation.”, the message reads.
The IAEA said the Khmelnytsky, Rivne and South Ukrainian nuclear power plants were not directly damaged or shut down, although several power substations on which they depend were destroyed.
“Of the nine reactors operating at these three NPPs, six reduced power in the morning, with figures ranging from just over 40% to over 90% of maximum capacity. At this time, only two of the NPPs are operating at full capacity, while one is on maintenance. All NPPs continue to receive external electricity supply.”, – it is noted in the release.
The report also states that agency representatives who are at Ukrainian nuclear power plants heard the sounds of anti-aircraft defenses and hid in shelters during air raids. The team at the Khmelnytskyi NPP even recorded a loud explosion.
“The country’s energy infrastructure is extremely vulnerable, which directly affects nuclear security. We are still assessing the full extent of the damage. At this critical time, I reiterate the importance of upholding the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear security during conflict, particularly the fourth pillar, which states, that there should be a reliable external power supply from the grid for all nuclear facilities”Grossi said.
At the same time, the IAEA’s message did not specify who exactly is responsible for the shelling of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.
