“Military activity is increasing and that worries me a lot”: the day after a first inspection by the IAEA of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, its director general Rafael Grossi held a press conference in Vienna where the headquarters is located of the UN agency.
After a first day of inspection, the experts left convinced that the “physical integrity” of the occupied nuclear power station had been “violated”. Several members of the 14-person delegation did not board for the return trip. Six experts are still there, said Rafael Grossi, two will stay more permanently. The other four are expected to leave the plant next week, he added. A report on the safety of this nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, will be submitted at the beginning of next week.
Nevertheless, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency expressed his concerns; “I myself have seen several impacts on buildings resulting from bombardments. Which is completely irresponsible,” he said, adding that his delegation had observed an increase in military activity in the region. Friday afternoon again Ukraine said it had hit a Russian base at Energodar where the plant is located.
While the plant has been under Russian control since March, it is the Ukrainians who are in charge: “They work together and the plant is functional,” said Rafael Grossi. But “there is a huge tension, which must be managed very carefully. Our presence has great added value,” he concluded. Two IAEA experts will provide “permanent support and monitoring”, according to the IAEA director. “The difference between being there or not is day and night,” he said.
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