Tensions escalated in Ukraine on Thursday (September 1st) as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection mission approached the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the most powerful in Ukraine. Europe, currently under Russian control. While driving from the territory held by the Ukrainian forces, the procession taking the international experts to the plant had to stop because of bombardments on the route yet agreed by the belligerents. They finally arrived safely at the beginning of the afternoon.
The plant and its six reactors were taken in March by the Russian army, which has since stored military equipment there. Recurrent bombardments on this site and its surroundings since August, however, raise fears of a nuclear disaster, which is why this international mission was requested by Ukraine.
If it is not intended to establish the origin of the fire on the power plant, nor to act as an interposition force, the mission will carry out on-site work aimed at estimating the extent of the damage inflicted in recent weeks. by the bombings, and observe how the war affects the working conditions and maintenance of the site by its personnel. The experts will also ensure the proper functioning of the plant’s security and safety systems.
Towards a permanent presence?
“We will immediately begin assessing the security situation at the plant,” said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, who leads the mission. Arrived on the spot, the ten experts immediately began the visit of the places, indicated the Russian press agency RIA Novosti. The IAEA has indicated that it wishes to establish a presence « permanente » in the Zaporijjia power plant in order to avoid a possible cataclysm.
Earlier in the day, the mayor of Enerhodar, where the plant is located, had accused Russian forces of shelling the route of the IAEA motorcade, and of firing into the town with mortars, automatic weapons and rockets. For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense accused the Ukrainian army of having carried out artillery fire on the ” meeting point “ of the IAEA mission near the nuclear power plant. Russian troops, he added, would have repelled an incursion from « saboteurs » Ukrainians. Unverifiable assertions as it stands.
A few hours earlier, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, shooting had already forced one of the reactors of the plant to be shut down. “It’s time to stop playing with fire.said the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Robert Mardini. The slightest miscalculation could wreak havoc that we would regret for decades. »