Increased military activity near Zaporizhzhia NPP raises concern over nuclear safety at the site
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that its experts based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant heard around two dozen explosions in the vicinity over the past week. According to the agency’s head Rafael Mariano Grossi, this might indicate “increased military activity in the region” and a “potential threat to nuclear safety and security at the site.”
“Whatever happens in a conflict zone wherever it may be, everybody would stand to lose from a nuclear accident, and I urge that all necessary precautions must be taken to avoid it happening,” Grossi said on September 8.
The NPP has notified the agency that several drone strikes took place on September 7 in the city of Enerhodar, where many plant staff live with their families. Although no casualties were reported, the management has decided to reduce the number of staff on site, due to potential danger.
The nuclear plant’s perimeter is still mined, IAEA notes in its press statement.
The plant is currently managed by the state-owned Russian nuclear power corporation Rosenergoatom. According to one of its senior executives, Renat Karchaa, the management plans to relieve part of the staff of their duties for two days, for fear of “new terrorist attacks from the Ukrainian side.”
Karchaa blames the Ukrainian military for the drone strikes that allegedly target civilian housing and infrastructure without any clear strategic aims.
On September 8–10, local elections are taking place in the annexed part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region.
