The head of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned that explosive mines have been placed close to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by Russian occupiers.
The mines were discovered by IAEA inspectors on walk-around on July 23; they were positioned in a buffer zone between the plant’s interior and external barriers and were faced away from the facility.
Details of the inspection
The U.N. atomic inspector has noted the presence of explosives both outside and inside the nuclear plant’s perimeter for the second month in a row, which Russian security officials on the scene stated were for defensive purposes.
Experts claim that the mines were located in a restricted area to which station personnel do not have access and pointed away from the site.
“Having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance and creates additional psychological pressure on plant staff,”
Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi
The situation on the occupied Zaporizhya NPP
The six reactors at the plant have been shut down since September, but connection to the Ukrainian electrical grid, which is required to power cooling equipment, has frequently been interrupted. This occurred once more over the weekend. Only a few km separate from the front line.
The ZNPP’s reactors 3 and 4, which are of particular relevance, as well as their turbine hall roofs, are still being requested to access by the IAEA.
Does Russia blowing up plant threat real
The collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam last month, according to Ukrainian authorities, shows that Moscow is willing to endanger civilian lives to promote its political and military objectives in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have frequently warned the international community about the possible risks of Russia mining ZNPP.
Officials in Kyiv worry that Russians would try to divert attention away from the ZNPP in order to halt the counteroffensive as Ukrainian troops have been slowly advancing in the Zaporizhzhia region, the minister added.
Grossi’s warning comes at the same time as authorities in Kyiv are warning the public about Russia’s plans for Zaporizhzhia, the biggest nuclear power facility in Europe.
The dubious guarantee that ZNPP can avert the dam’s fate remains with the International Atomic Energy Agency.