The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned of a nuclear accident due to the increasing hostilities around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. “I saw clear signs of military preparations in the area when I visited Zaporizhia NPP three weeks ago,” IAEA Director Rafael Grossi said yesterday, according to a statement from the agency. Since then, the nuclear experts stationed there have repeatedly registered explosions in the immediate vicinity of the plant, the Argentine added.
He was “deeply concerned” about the current situation. The precarious situation requires further pressure so that the facility is neither shot at nor used as a starting point for attacks. Grossi announced that he would continue to negotiate with the Russians and Ukrainians in this regard.
Fear of nuclear accident despite cold operation
The power plant was occupied by troops loyal to Moscow shortly after the start of the Russian war of aggression 14 months ago. After the shelling, the plant had to be supplied with diesel generators several times via an emergency power supply. For safety reasons, the nuclear power plant has now been put into cold operation and the reactors have been shut down. Nevertheless, a nuclear accident in the event of a hit cannot be ruled out.
Fears have increased over the expected Ukrainian offensive to reclaim its own territories. The Zaporizhia region is considered one of the possible directions of attack.
