In recent weeks, Russian and Ukrainian troops have accused each other of shelling near the nuclear power plant.
A team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are on their way to the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhiain southern Ukraine, where Russian and Ukrainian troops have been accusing each other of shelling in recent weeks, Rafael Grossi, the UN agency’s director-general, announced today.
“We are finally on track to move after months of efforts. The IAEA will go inside the nuclear plant in Zaporizhia”Europe’s largest, in the hands of the Russian military since early March, Mr. Grossi told reporters in Kyiv shortly before the departure of the group he leads.
What will the inspectors do in Zaporizhia?
Of the group of 14 nuclear experts led by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi. The team is already on its way, bound for Europe’s largest nuclear plant in war-torn Ukraine seized by the Russians. They are going to examine the situation at the Zaporizhzhya plant, which includes a total of 6 reactors, the working conditions on site, but also to record potential damages.
The presence of IAEA experts gives hope that the situation at the station will defuse, that is to say, that the military actions in the area will be somewhat limited and the Ukrainian personnel will be able to move more freely inside the station.
Will the inspectors be able to form a complete picture?
This is not clear. However, experts assume that they will manage to get a representative picture of safety in the factory.
What can increase security in Zaporizhia?
The cessation of all military activities in the area of ​​the power plant, as well as in the area around it, the free access of personnel to all facilities and consequently the safe maintenance and supply of spare parts.
Would a demilitarized zone make sense?
Yes. However, so far there is no prospect of implementing such a measure. Russia has occupied eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. With 38 nuclear power plants, Russia has a lot of know-how and knows the potential risks of a major reactor accident due to possible military action. Despite the high risk, however, Russia occupied Zaporizhia militarily. A change of course is not yet in sight, despite countless appeals worldwide.
Would shutting down all reactors help?
This will have to be decided on the spot. However, even after a potential shutdown, reactors require a lot of energy to cool down to avoid a meltdown, which is what happened in the major reactor accidents at Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011.
In any case the risk level of a major accident at the plant would be reduced by decommissioning the reactors.
RES-EMP
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