The nuclear safety situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has worsened: Director General of the IAEA Grossi
The security situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant deteriorated after a drone strike that exploded near the plant’s territory. This was announced by the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“Once again, we see an escalation of the threat to nuclear safety and the safety of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. I remain extremely concerned and repeat my call for maximum restraint on all sides and for strict adherence to the five specific principles established to protect the plant.”, – the press service of the IAEA quotes the general director.
According to the monitoring mission, the explosives on board the drone detonated near the sprinkler tanks for cooling water and about 100 meters from the Dnipro transmission line, which is the only 750-kilovolt line that supplies power to the station.
The IAEA notes that there were no casualties among the personnel, and no damage to the station’s equipment was recorded.
During the last week, members of the monitoring mission noted a significant increase in military activity in the area.
“The team heard frequent explosions, sporadic fire from large-caliber machine guns and rifles, as well as artillery at various distances from the plant. There are no signs of cessation of military activity near the ZNPP.” – says the message of the IAEA.
It will be recalled that on August 10, Zaporizhzhya NPP informed the IAEA group that an artillery projectile had hit a local electric substation and a water supply substation in the city of Energodar, where most of the station’s employees live. This resulted in the failure of two transformers and a power outage across the city, forcing the use of diesel generators to supply water. On August 11, the electricity supply was restored.
Earlier this week, a large-scale fire broke out in one of the station’s cooling towers, causing significant damage, but there was no direct threat to nuclear safety.
IAEA teams working permanently at other nuclear power plants in Ukraine also reported frequent air alert signals and drone attacks.
“Nuclear power plants are designed to be resistant to technical or human failures and external events, including extreme ones, but they are not designed to withstand a direct military attack, nor should they, like any other energy system. facility in the world. This latest attack highlights the vulnerability of such facilities in conflict zones and the need to continue monitoring the volatile situation.” Grossi emphasized.
