The UN’s nuclear watchdog has demanded an immediate cease to all military operations near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility in Ukraine, citing the “very real potential of a catastrophic tragedy.”
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, expressed “grave concern” about reports of shelling at the largest nuclear power station in Europe.
It comes after Ukraine reported that Russian military attacks “severely damaged” portions of the complex.
In March, Russia seized the factory.
It has retained its Ukrainian personnel, but Kyiv accuses Russian forces of adopting “terror tactics” by firing rockets at civilian areas from the facility.
Mr. Grossi said in a statement that Friday’s attacks highlight “the very real possibility of a nuclear accident that might threaten human health and the environment in Ukraine and beyond.”
“Any military weapons directed at or from the site would be tantamount to playing with fire,” he continued.
The Ukrainian employees must be able to carry out their vital responsibilities “without threats or coercion,” he added, adding that the IAEA must be permitted to offer technical assistance.
“We must immediately put aside our disagreements to protect people in Ukraine and elsewhere from a potential nuclear calamity. Mr. Grossi stated that the IAEA is prepared days after declaring that the plant was “totally out of control.” “.
The operator of the Zaporizhzhia plant stated that the Russian missile strikes had caused the shutdown of one “power unit” and that radioactive leaks were possible.
The strikes “posed a grave threat to the plant’s safe operation,” operator Enerhoatom posted on Telegram.
Moscow stated Ukraine was responsible for the strike.
The EU, meanwhile, has criticized Moscow over the new shelling, with the bloc’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stating that the EU “condemns Russia’s military activity” in the vicinity of the plant.
“This is a grave and irresponsible violation of nuclear safety laws, and yet another evidence of Russia’s contempt for international norms,” he added, calling for IAEA access to the plant.
Close to Ukrainian-held territory, Russian soldiers control the factory and its surroundings. It contains six water-pressurized reactors and radioactive waste.
Russians were launching rockets from the area surrounding the factory and transferring military equipment inside the facility.
Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, “Any bombing of this site is a heinous crime and an act of terror.”
The factory is located in the city of Enerhodar on the left bank of the Dnieper River in southeast Ukraine (Dnipro in Ukrainian).
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence asserts that Russia is utilizing the area to launch strikes, taking advantage of the nuclear power plant’s “protected status” to minimize the risk of overnight attacks by Ukrainian forces.
