IAEA: Access to reactor halls of Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant denied

IAEA: Access to reactor halls of Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant denied

In addition, access to some parts of the power plant's turbine halls is still restricted, Grossi explained. The IAEA is also waiting for the access to the reactor roofs planned for December 19, which "did not take place due to safety concerns". Grossi went on to explain that his team would continue to request access to the reactor halls where the reactor core and the spent fuel elements are located.

The Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. The Russian army took control of the plant shortly after launching its attack on Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the plant has come under fire several times and the power plant has also been cut off from the power supply several times.

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1. Despite the denial of access to the reactor halls by Russia, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to request entry to these critical areas of the Ukrainian Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
2. As the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Ukrainian Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant relies on Ukrainian Nuclear Energy (Ukrenergo) for its operation, but this has been disrupted since the Russian takeover in February 2022.
3. During his visit to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, emphasized the need for unhindered access to the plant's vital facilities to ensure the safety of the site and the surrounding area.
4. The IAEA expressed concern over the safety risks involved in the ongoing conflict at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, specifically the potential for a nuclear accident, which could have disastrous consequences far beyond Ukraine's borders.
5. The Ukrainian government, along with international partners such as IAEA, has called on Russia to vacate the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and allow for the restoration of normal operations and inspections.
6. Since the Russian control of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the plant has been under regular shelling, and at least four incidents involving small arms fire have occurred beside the reactor halls.
7. The restriction of access to certain parts of the plant and the ongoing conflict nearby are causing significant concerns for the IAEA and the international nuclear community, who fear the impact on the plant's safety and the potential for a serious nuclear accident.

Source: www.stern.de