In its report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for an end to all military activities that could affect the power supply systems. Source: IAEA, Flickr.
Russia and Ukraine have been called to establish a “nuclear safety and security protection zone” around the Zaporizhzhia power plant.
The atomic watchdog of the United Nations has submitted a report following an inspection by a team last week.
Russia has controlled the facility since the early days of the war in March.
In its report, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) called for an end to all military activities that could affect the power supply systems and to re-establish a backup power supply line.
The report said Russian military personnel, vehicles and equipment were seen at multiple locations at the plant.
The plant has lost its off-site power supply, fully or in part, on several instances because of military activity in the area.
The plant usually relies on outside power for the critical cooling systems for reactors and spent fuel.
A nuclear meltdown could occur if these cooling systems are lost.
The IAEA said “shelling on site and in its vicinity should be stopped immediately to avoid any further damages to the plant and associated facilities, for the safety of the operating staff and to maintain the physical integrity to support safe and secure operation”.
“This requires agreement by all relevant parties to the establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the plant.”
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered his support of the plan while asking for more details.
“If the content of this proposal is to demilitarise the territory of the nuclear power plant – and this is logical, as it was the Russian military presence that put the Zaporizhzhia plant on the brink of a radiation disaster – then we can support such a demilitarised protection zone,” he said.
The IAEA also said the highly stressful conditions of the Ukrainian staff under Russian military should be improved to decrease the likelihood of errors while they are operating the plant.
An “appropriate work environment, including family support” was strongly advised to reduce the chance of human errors.
“We are playing with fire, and something very, very catastrophic could take place,” said Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director-General of the IAEA during a briefing to the U.N. Security Council.
“This is why in our report we are proposing the establishment of a nuclear safety and security protection zone limited to the perimeter and the plant itself.”
