Russian military control of Ukraine nuclear plants cause for grave concern, UN nuclear energy agency warns |
In one declare released by IAEAMr. Grossi said he has been informed by the Ukrainian authorities that, although regular employees continue to operate the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, any action by the plant management – including measures measures related to the technical operation of the six reactor units – all of which require prior approval from the Russian Forces Command, which took control of the site last week.
Mr. Grossi said that this development was in contrast to one of the seven pillars of nuclear safety and security he outlined at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting on 2 March: that “executive staff must be able to fulfill their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions without undue pressure”.
Communication is severely limited
Ukraine’s nuclear regulator has informed the IAEA that it is experiencing major problems communicating with the Zaporizhzhya operators, as Russian forces at the site have turned off some mobile networks and blocked them. Internet. Some cell phone communications are understood to still be possible, albeit of poor quality, but landlines, as well as e-mail and faxes, are said to be no longer functional.
The IAEA notes that this situation is in contrast to one of the seven integral pillars of nuclear safety, which is to have “reliable communications with regulators and others”.
“I am extremely concerned about the developments that have been reported to me today”. Mr. Grossi said. “Just a few days after I presented the seven key elements of nuclear safety and security to the IAEA Board, some of them were compromised. To be able to operate the plant safely and securely, management and employees must be allowed to perform their important duties in stable conditions without undue external pressure or interference“.
“The worsening situation regarding critical communications between the regulator and the Zaporizhzhya NPP is also a source of deep concern, especially during an armed conflict that could jeopardize the facilities. the nucleus of the country at any time.”, the General Manager continued. “Reliable communication between regulators and operators is an important part of overall nuclear safety and security.”
Normal radiation level
Despite communication problems, the regulator was able to provide the IAEA with updates on the operational status of the Zaporizhzhya NPP, and confirm that radiation levels there remained normal.
Operations teams at the plant are currently rotating in three shifts, but the regulator added that supplies and food are limited, which is having a negative impact on employee morale.
Chernobyl and Mariupol fear for safety
Responding to reports that technical and security personnel at the site of the Chernobyl nuclear accident had not been rotated since February 23, Mr. Grossi called on Russian forces to take control of the scene. allow them to come to the rescue of other colleagues and rest, in order to do their jobs safely and securely.
The Ukrainian regulator has informed the IAEA that communication with Chernobyl is currently limited to email only.
In another worrying development, the regulator said that all contact has been lost with businesses and organizations in the port city of Mariupol using radiation source type 1-3, and no information about their status. The IAEA warns such radioactive material can cause serious harm to humans if not secured and properly managed.
Chernobyl National Museum / Anatoliy Rasskazov
The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident on April 26, 1986 was one of the deadliest nuclear accidents ever.
