Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is facing danger

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi spoke to the press in Kiev, Ukraine, shortly before departing for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which has been the scene of ongoing conflict since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine in February 2022.

Mr Grossi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the risks facing the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, especially after the collapse of the Kakhovka dam last week. The dam, located downstream from the Dnieper River, helps keep water in the reservoir that cools the plant’s reactors.

Ukraine claims that Russia blew up the dam, but Moscow denies the accusation.

The head of the IAEA said that water levels in the reservoir that supplies energy to the plant were falling steadily, but this was not an “immediate danger”.

“This is a serious situation because not only is the plant's water supply limited, but it also faces the risk of a water gate rupture that threatens the reactor's cooling capacity.”

IAEA: Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is facing danger - 1 — IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. (Photo: IAEA)

According to AP, Ukraine hopes to be able to shut down the last operating reactor at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to stop nuclear fission reactions and create heat and pressure. Currently, five of the plant's six reactors are shut down.

Asked about Ukraine’s plans, Mr Grossi noted that the Russian military is currently in control of the plant and this could lead to “another undesirable situation arising from this extraordinary situation”.

According to him, Ukrainian workers are still operating and working at the plant under the presence of Russian troops. Mr. Grossi added that the IAEA currently has a team of monitoring experts working at the plant and the team members will be rotated during his upcoming trip.

Asked about the Ukrainian counterattack this week, the IAEA chief said he was very concerned about the possibility of the plant being attacked and reacting with explosives in such an extended war.

“The fighting is very fierce. So we are worried about the possibility of an attack,” he said.

However, Mr Grossi stressed that the IAEA had not yet seen any heavy military equipment from the Russian army approaching the plant. “There should not be any military equipment, artillery or ammunition that could compromise the security of the plant. We have not seen any unusual signs at this time but the possibility cannot be ruled out.”

Phuong Thao (Source: AP)

Useful
Emotion
Creative
Unique

Source