WORRY OVER SAFETY OF NUCLEAR PLANT
Disruption of communication at facility captured by Russians matter of ‘deep concern’, UN body says
The UN nuclear watchdog has expressed “deep concern” over reports that communication from Europe’s largest nuclear power plant seized by Russia in Ukraine has been disrupted.
Invading Russian forces attacked and seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Friday.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that Ukraine informed it that the plant management was now under orders from the commander of Russian forces.
Ukraine has also reported that Russian forces have switched off some mobile networks and the internet, and that telephone lines, emails and fax were not functioning any more.
Ukrainian officials told the IAEA mobile phone communication was still possible, but with poor network connectivity.
“I’m extremely concerned about these developments that were reported to me today,” IAEA director general Rafael Grossi said. “In order to be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions without undue external interference or pressure,” he added.
He expressed “deep concern” over “the deteriorating situation regarding vital communications between the regulator and the Zaporizhzhia NPP [nuclear power plant]”.
“Reliable communications between the regulator and the operator are a critical part of overall nuclear safety and security,” he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin assured his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron of the “physical and nuclear safety” of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, according to the Kremlin.
The IAEA said Ukraine’s nuclear regulator also reported that communicating with personnel at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was captured by Russian forces on February 24, was only possible through emails at the moment.
Staff there were also reportedly unable to rotate, Grossi said, stressing “the importance of operating staff being able to rest to carry out their important jobs safely and securely”.
Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant is encased in a giant sarcophagus following an explosion in 1986 – the worst nuclear accident in history.
Grossi on Friday offered to travel to Chernobyl to negotiate with Kyiv and Moscow and ensure the security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites.
The offer came hours after Russian forces seized control of Zaporizhzhia after a battle with Ukrainian troops that caused a fire and fears of an accident.
Ukraine has four active nuclear power plants, providing about half of the country’s electricity, as well as stores of nuclear waste such as the one at Chernobyl.
Elsewhere, Russian forces destroyed an international airport in the western region of Vinnytsia, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I was just informed about a missile attack on Vinnytsia: eight missiles,” the president said in a video released on his Telegram channel.
“Our peaceful Vinnytsia never threatened Russia in any way. This missile attack is harsh and cynical. The airport is completely destroyed.”
Russia’s Defence Ministry subsequently released a statement saying that “the airfield of the Ukrainian air force in Vinnytsia was taken out of service with long-range precision weapons.”
Zelensky repeated his calls for a no-fly zone over his country.
Management and staff must be allowed to carry out their vital duties in stable conditions
RAFAEL GROSSI, IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL