Escalating Nuclear Safety Concerns at Zaporizhzhia Power Plant Amid Ongoing Conflict

Escalating Concerns Over Nuclear Safety at Europe’s Largest Power Plant

The safety conditions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, are reportedly deteriorating, as highlighted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This facility, located in southeastern Ukraine, has been under Russian control since the onset of a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

On Saturday, a drone strike targeted a perimeter access road utilized by staff members near the power plant. Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA’s director general, confirmed to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS that the experts stationed at the facility were promptly informed about the explosion and quickly visited the site to assess the situation.

Following the incident, Russian officials accused Ukraine of launching the drone strike near the plant. Since the beginning of the conflict, Zaporizhzhia has faced a series of assaults, with both parties blaming each other for the ongoing attacks.

In July, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution demanding the urgent withdrawal of Russian military forces and personnel from the plant, insisting on its immediate return to Ukrainian control. While the plant remains inactive, tensions have escalated, with both nations engaging in a war of words regarding its fate, accusing each other of attempting to sabotage its operations and compromise safety in the vicinity.

In a recent statement, Grossi expressed his deep concern, stating, “Once again, we witness an escalation of the nuclear safety and security threats facing the Zaporizhzhia power plant.” He emphasized the need for maximum restraint from all parties involved and the strict adherence to the five concrete principles established for the plant’s protection.

The site where the drone struck was alarmingly close to essential cooling water sprinkler ponds and only 100 meters from the Dniprovska power line, which is the last remaining 750 kilovolt line supplying power to the facility, according to the IAEA’s report. A team from the IAEA who inspected the area after the strike noted that the damage was likely caused by a drone equipped with an explosive payload.

While their findings confirmed that there were no casualties or significant impact on the nuclear plant’s equipment, they did observe considerable damage to the road connecting the two main gates of Zaporizhzhia.

The troubling safety situation at the plant coincides with Ukraine’s ongoing military operations against Russia. Ukrainian officials claim to have regained control of approximately 82 settlements covering an area of 1,150 square kilometers in the Kursk region since August 6.

In light of the recent attack on the Zaporizhzhia plant, Russia’s RIA news agency reports that Moscow is eager to engage in discussions with the IAEA, as stated by Roman Ustinov, the acting Russian representative in Vienna.