The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed concern about the situation at Ukraine’s largest power plant, which is in the hands of Russian forces.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed concern over the situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear site, which he described as “worrying” on BFMTV, during a news conference on Thursday.
“Zaporizhia is at the top of my list of concerns about the situation with nuclear facilities in Ukraine,” he said.
The plant, which is the largest in Ukraine, is currently being illegally occupied by the Russian army as part of the Russian invasion. “The Ukrainian regulator does not monitor the situation on the ground,” recalled the head of the nuclear agency.
“No emergency at the other locations like in Zaporijia”
“At the other sites, like Zaporijia, there is no emergency,” he added, noting that the IAEA wants to be able to conduct “security” and “protection” operations “as soon as possible.” .
“We work everywhere except in Zaporizhia,” he regretted, because Russian troops are present there. “We’re connected to the site,” he said, however.
Concerns about nuclear facilities in Ukraine remain high as the Russian invasion, launched on February 24, continues. Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday that low-altitude rockets grazed the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in the south of the country.
A “stable” situation in Chernobyl
Referring to the Chernobyl facility, which was the subject of many concerns after it was captured by Russian forces in late February, Rafael Grossi said he went there a few days ago.
The head of the nuclear agency assured that the situation at the site is “stable” and assessed that the radioactivity in Chernobyl is not “dangerous to the environment and the population”.
“We don’t have peace yet, so we have to move on. The situation is not stable. We have to remain vigilant,” Rafael Rossi said on Wednesday during his trip to Chernobyl, speaking of an invasion. “very, very dangerous”.
Juliette Desmonceaux with AFP