The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains committed to maintaining a presence at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, despite this week's drone attack on one of its armoured vehicles during a regular rotation of IAEA teams stationed at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.
The 26th team of IAEA staff sent to the ZNPP since the mission was established more than two years ago began their work to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security at the plant immediately after arriving on Tuesday, replacing colleagues who had been there for the past several weeks.
The drone strike took place later the same day, targeting an official vehicle - with the IAEA logo clearly visible - that formed part of a convoy preparing to pick up the departing IAEA team at a handover point on the frontline. No one was harmed in the attack.
"This week's attack was a stark reminder of the potential dangers our staff are facing as they carry out their important nuclear safety and security work in an active war zone. They deserve all our sincere gratitude for helping to keep the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant safe," Director General Grossi said.
The drone used was of a model designed to explode on impact, leaving no discernible debris to be recovered for an investigation into the incident.
"Whoever did this knew exactly what was being done. It was our vehicle that was hit. There was a clear intention to intimidate us. But we will not be intimated by this brazen and deplorable attack. We will stay as long as it is needed and continue our indispensable work," he added.
At the site, the IAEA has continued to monitor maintenance of elements of the ZNPP's safety systems, particularly that being performed in reactor units 2 and 6.
During the past week, the ZNPP once again utilized some of its nine mobile diesel boilers to provide part of the heating for the plant and the city of Enerhodar, where most staff live, during the winter.
Separately, the IAEA team has observed three new mobile diesel generators located adjacent to the turbine buildings of three of the reactor units. The ZNPP informed the IAEA team that these new generators are in accordance with the regulations of the Russian Federation, as part of post-Fukushima Daiichi accident measures and in addition to those previously implemented by Ukraine.
These three new mobile generators are also in addition to the site's 20 fixed emergency diesel generators that are designed to provide on-site power, in case of a total loss of off-site power, which has occurred on eight occasions since the start of the armed conflict. In late 2022, the ZNPP received seven other mobile diesel generators, which are now disconnected and not in use.
The IAEA team reported hearing explosions each day over the past week, at some distance away from the ZNPP. No damage to the ZNPP was reported to the team.
Despite the effects of the military conflict, the IAEA teams at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site reported that nuclear safety and security at these facilities is being maintained.
All nine reactor units at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs are operating and generating electricity for the national grid. However, two units are operating below full capacity due to limitations within the electrical grid, with some off-site power lines still disconnected following recent attacks on Ukraine's electrical infrastructure.
The teams continued to report air raid alarms throughout the week, with IAEA personnel at the Khmelnytskyy NPP having to shelter on one occasion. The team at the South Ukraine NPP was informed of multiple missiles and drones detected several kilometers from the site.
As part of its comprehensive programme of assistance in support of nuclear safety and security, the IAEA has arranged three new deliveries to Ukraine over the past week, bringing the total to 89.
The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center and Hydrometeorological organizations of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine received video conferencing equipment while the Slavutych City Hospital close to Chornobyl and the Varash Hospital near the Rivne NPP received medical equipment such as oximeters, blood pressure monitors, defibrillators, patient monitors and glucometers. The equipment was procured with funds from Belgium and the United States.
