According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi’s goal is “to initiate prompt safety support” for Ukraine’s nuclear facilities. This will include sending IAEA specialists to “prioritized sites,” which it didn’t identify, as well as sending “vital safety & security supplies”, including emergency equipment and monitoring.
Grossi was to visit one of Ukraine’s nuclear power stations this week. However, it didn’t specify which one. The Ukraine is home to 15 active nuclear reactors and the Chernobyl nuclear plant, which was the scene of the 1986 nuclear catastrophe. Russian forces have taken control over Chernobyl as well as Zaporizhzhia, the largest active power station in Ukraine.
Since weeks, the IAEA chief has been urging Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement on safety of Ukraine’s nuclear plants. He met with the Turkish foreign ministers earlier in the month.
He stated Tuesday that Ukraine had requested his agency’s help and that “we will now begin delivering it.”
Grossi stated that the military conflict in Ukraine is placing Ukraine’s nuclear power stations and other facilities with radioactive materials in unprecedented danger. We must act immediately to ensure that they continue to operate safely, securely, and to reduce the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident that could have severe health and environmental consequences in Ukraine and elsewhere.
“There have been many close calls. He said that we can’t afford any more time. “This conflict already causes unimaginable human suffering, destruction. It is necessary to use the IAEA’s capabilities and expertise to stop it from leading to another nuclear accident.
The IAEA expressed concerns about the lack of regular staff rotations at Chernobyl, and questions over staff’s ability to work without undue stress or interruptions to power supplies. It claims it isn’t receiving data transmissions from Chernobyl’s monitoring systems, but it is receiving data from other Ukrainian plants.
According to the IAEA, Ukraine’s nuclear regulator informed it Monday that eight of Ukraine’s fifteen reactors are still operating, with two of them at Zaporizhzhia, which is controlled by Russia. It stated that the other reactors were being shut down for maintenance.