IAEA Inspection Team Arrives at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Despite Shelling... "Confirming Key Issues"

Only Some Inspection Team Members Remain, Others Withdraw
Russian Authorities: "Inspection Team Must Complete Investigation Within a Day"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team dispatched to conduct a safety inspection of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, currently occupied by Russia, has arrived at the plant and officially begun inspection activities. The inspection team plans to complete a three-day inspection initially and keep some personnel on site for an extended period. However, concerns are rising over potential restrictions on inspection activities imposed by Russian authorities, sparking controversy.

According to AFP on the 1st (local time), the IAEA inspection team arrived at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant site that day. The team had arrived in the city of Zaporizhzhia, located 55 km from the plant, the previous day and moved to the plant on the day of inspection. The IAEA stated that the movement was delayed by about three hours due to shelling between Russian and Ukrainian forces.

Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, who led the 14-member inspection team composed of personnel from neutral countries, visited the Zaporizhzhia plant and held a press conference after completing the inspection schedule that day. He said, "We were able to gather a lot of information within a few hours," and "I have confirmed the key things I needed to see."

The IAEA inspection team is scheduled to conduct inspection activities for three days from that day until the 3rd. Nine members, including Director General Grossi, withdrew first, while five members remain on site for further investigation. Given the gravity of the situation, the IAEA reportedly expressed the possibility that some personnel may stay for an extended period.

However, it remains uncertain how much the Russian authorities will guarantee the inspection activities. Two days before the inspection team’s arrival, Russian military authorities occupying Zaporizhzhia Oblast stated, "There is little to expect from the IAEA visit," and "The inspection team will have to review the entire situation of the nuclear plant within just one day," which has fueled controversy.

Despite indications from Russian authorities about restricting activities, the IAEA inspection team plans to proceed with the three-day inspection as scheduled, starting with Units 5 and 6 of the plant, which are reportedly shut down due to damage to the incoming power lines.

Meanwhile, Energoatom, the Ukrainian operator of the Zaporizhzhia plant, reported that early that morning, one reactor at the plant temporarily stopped operating due to a power outage, and emergency generators were activated to barely restart the cooling system.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.