The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine has become a major concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. According to Grossi, recent attacks on the plant have brought the world dangerously close to a nuclear accident.
Grossi confirmed three attacks on the plant since April 7th, but he did not attribute blame to any specific party. He emphasized the need for these attacks to stop immediately during a meeting with the Security Council. Despite there being no radiological incidents so far, Grossi acknowledged that the attacks have significantly increased the risk to nuclear safety due to the compromised state of the plant.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, located in Russian-controlled territory in southeastern Ukraine, has six nuclear reactors. It has been at great risk since Russian troops took control of it following the invasion in February 2022. Ongoing conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces, as well as supply shortages at the plant, have heightened concerns about a potential nuclear disaster.
While Ukraine and its allies have accused Russia of endangering the plant, Russia has blamed Ukraine for the attacks. However, an IAEA report did not definitively identify the perpetrators of the attacks, leading to conflicting claims from both sides. The situation remains tense with looming threat of a nuclear catastrophe continuing to escalate.
In conclusion, Grossi’s statement highlights how dangerous and urgent it is for all parties involved in this conflict to take immediate action and ensure that these attacks do not lead to a catastrophic outcome at this critical facility.
