For months, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, has been a source of tension between Ukraine and Russia, whose forces currently control it. But in recent days the situation seems to be deteriorating, with mutual accusations of a possible attack with disastrous consequences. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday asked for additional access to the plant to “confirm the absence of mines or explosives at the site,” after Kiev accused Moscow of planting explosives to simulate an attack.
“The IAEA experts at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant have been inspecting parts of the facility over the past few days and weeks – including some peripheral sections of the large cooling pool – and have also been walking around the site regularly so far. without detecting any visible indication of mines or explosives,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossiquoted in a press release.
The agency does ask that the experts have “additional access” they deem necessary “to confirm the absence of mines or explosives on the site”, namely “access to the roofs of reactors 3 and 4” – which he says is “essential” – as well as “access to parts of the turbine chambers and some parts of the cooling system”.
According to Grossi, “with military tensions and increasing activity in the region where the nuclear power plant is located, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground”. The director of the IAEA believes that “his independent and objective report can help clarify the situation on the ground, which is crucial at a time like this with unconfirmed allegations and counter-accusations”.
Zelensky’s accusations
These are statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “We have information from our intelligence services that Russian forces have placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several units of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant. Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Maybe they have other scenarios. But in any case, the world sees – it cannot but see – that the only source of danger to the Zaporizh nuclear power plant is Russia and no one else.” said in its daily bulletin on Tuesday evening.
Zelensky, who also expressed concern in a contact with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, indicated that there was “unfortunately” no “timely” response to the “terrorist attack” on the Kakhovka dam – it was under Russian control and was destroyed in an explosion on June 6, with Kiev and Moscow denying responsibility. “This could lead to the Kremlin committing a new evil,” the Ukrainian president warned, recalling that “it is the responsibility of everyone in the world to stop it, no one can stand aside, because radiation affects everyone.”
Even after Zelensky’s accusations, the Russians have warned that it will be Kiev that is preparing a “subversive act” with “catastrophic consequences” against the Zaporizhia power station. “It is necessary to take all measures to combat this threat”, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, accusing Kiev of demonstrating “several times” that it was “prepared for anything.”
An adviser to Rosenergoatom, the Russian operator of the nuclear power plants, denied the placement of explosives. “Why should we have explosives there? It’s nonsense to keep the tension around the power station,” said Renat Karchaa, quoted by Interfax. This official also accused Zelensky of “lying with all his teeth”.
In response, Ukraine again appealed to the international community to respond to the situation. “Russia is deploying military personnel, installing reinforcements on at least three reactors and placing explosives at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, directly threatening a nuclear incident at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.”, writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media. “It is time for the world to take immediate action,” he added.
In recent weeks, Kiev and Moscow have accused each other of endangering the plant’s security, as Ukrainian forces continue their counter-offensive to try to regain Russian-held territory. Captured by the Russians on March 4, 2022 (less than a month after the invasion), the Zaporizhia power station was the target of attacks and was disconnected from the power grid on several occasions, causing alarm in Europe. The dam explosion caused a drop in the level of the water reservoir used to cool the plant, raising new concerns.
Zaporizhia’s six reactors have already been shut down, but the installation still needs to be connected to the electricity grid (and have qualified personnel on site) to keep the cooling systems running.
Source: DN
