July 05, 2023
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to raise concerns about the safety of facilities at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control since March 2022. This week, the Ukrainian government accused Russia of “Objects that look like explosives on the roof of several units” from the power station. The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskovin turn said today (5) that he sees a risk of sabotage by Ukraine and warned that the risk of “The subversive act of the Kiev regime is very high“. Amid this version war, and with tensions already high, the DirectorGeneral of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said, Rafael Grossi (photo) brings at least one piece of reassuring news: the agency’s specialists did not discover any traces of mines or explosives in the nuclear power plant on site.
The agency head added that he had requested additional access, including to the roof of two reactors. The IAEA said: “Is aware of reports that mines and other explosives have been planted in and around mines” of the nuclear power plant. Company experts inspected parts of the facility including some sections of the large cooling pond and also conducted regular walks around the site. Fortunately, no visible evidence of mines or explosives has been observed so far.
“With military tensions and activities mounting in the region where this large nuclear power plant is located, our experts should be able to factcheck on the ground. Your independent and objective reporting would help shed light on the current situation on the ground, which is crucial at a time like this with uncorroborated claims and counterclaims.‘ Grossi explained. He said additional access to parts of the turbine rooms, some parts of the plant’s cooling system and access to the roofs of Units 3 and 4 had been requested, a request “required to confirm the absence of mines or explosives on the premises“.
The President of Ukraine has denounced the possible installation of explosives at the Zaporizhia plant. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a speech yesterday (4). “The Russian military has placed what appear to be explosives on the roofs of several units. [da usina]‘ Zelenskyy said, citing information from the intelligence service of Ukraine. The President went on to say that since there had been no international response, Russia would be sufficiently encouraged to carry out an attack of this magnitude.quickly and extensively” from the west until last month’s destruction of the Kakhovka Dam and adjacent hydroelectric power station.
On the Russian side, the Kremlin spokesman said: Dmitry Peskov (photo left), spoke about the danger of sabotage: “The situation is very tense, since the threat of sabotage, which could have catastrophic consequences, is very real. Obviously, all measures are taken to contain such a threat.“. The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which houses six reactors, is the largest nuclear complex in Europe and one of the ten largest in the world. It was built by the Soviet Union near Enerhodar, near the Kakhovka Reserve, which is responsible for the water supply to cool its six reactors. In total, Ukraine has fifteen nuclear reactors.