After his second visit to the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, warned on Wednesday that the situation could escalate. Military activities there have increased recently, he explained.
“It is clear that the military activity, which I have already pointed out, has increased. You can see that in the military presence there, in the devastation you see as you approach this place,” Grossi said Wednesday (see video above). “It is clear that this area is facing a potentially even more dangerous phase in the ongoing conflict. “, he said.
With an 18-member IAEA delegation at the nuclear power plant
Grossi, who had already visited the nuclear power plant once in September, arrived in Zaporizhia on Wednesday with an 18-member IAEA delegation. He therefore confirmed plans for a security concept for the nuclear power plant. Grossi said safety measures should now be discussed with both sides to avoid a nuclear incident with radioactive effects. “I’m an optimist in the sense that I think it’s possible,” he said.
Russian state television showed IAEA experts wearing UN body armor crossing the frontline between the Kyiv-controlled and Moscow-controlled parts of Zaporizhia Oblast. So they covered part of the way on foot near a destroyed bridge.
The main goal of the talks with leaders in Kiev and Moscow is nuclear safety, Grossi said. Everything must be done to protect people. The delegation had received an overview of the security situation at the power station, which was repeatedly fired upon. Only a few IAEA specialists remained. They are planned as a temporary contingent for the nuclear experts currently stationed there.
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe
With six blocks and a net capacity of 5700 megawatts, the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe with six blocks. Last summer, regular shelling at the site of the power plant sparked international fears of a nuclear accident.
Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of artillery shelling. The reactors that were operating at that time were therefore shut down. Due to the artillery battles, the power supply for the necessary cooling system was interrupted several times. Diesel generators were used to bridge the gap.
Source: Krone
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