IAEA "Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Protection Zone Must Be Established"... Russia "Must Clarify Exact Intent"

IAEA "Reactor Core Meltdown May Occur"
Russian UN Ambassador "I Do Not Understand IAEA's Intentions"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned that the risk of an accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is high and that the area around the plant should be designated as a protected zone. While Ukraine agrees with this claim, Russia, which is occupying the plant, has expressed a negative stance, saying it does not understand the exact intentions of the IAEA, sparking controversy.

On the 6th (local time), the IAEA released an inspection report on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant facilities, which it had been conducting since the 2nd, stating, "To maintain the physical integrity of the nuclear facility and ensure the safety of the staff, a protected zone must be established around the nuclear power plant," adding, "However, the consent of the involved countries is required to establish such a protected zone."

The IAEA pointed out, "The plant is operated by a limited number of Ukrainian staff under Russian military occupation, with employees experiencing high stress and pressure, resulting in an inappropriate working environment. Additionally, some facilities are restricted from access, making it difficult to respond quickly in emergencies."

It further warned, "There have been multiple instances where the external power supply to the plant failed to function properly due to clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Damage to the cooling system inside the plant, which relies on external power, could lead to a reactor core meltdown."

Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, also reported the inspection results via video at a United Nations Security Council meeting held at the UN Headquarters in New York that afternoon, stating, "We are essentially playing with fire right now, and a very catastrophic event could occur," emphasizing, "In this situation, preventing such an event is a historic and ethical obligation."

However, Russia has expressed a negative stance on the establishment of the protected zone, further escalating the controversy. Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, held a press conference after attending the UN Security Council meeting that day, saying, "The plan to establish a protected zone was an idea proposed by UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres two months ago. My first question at that time was that I wanted to know the details," adding, "Even now, I do not understand what exactly the IAEA intends to do or how much safety can be guaranteed."

Ambassador Nebenzya also expressed regret that the IAEA did not identify the party responsible for bombing the nuclear plant, warning, "If Ukraine’s provocations continue, there is no guarantee that serious consequences will not occur, and the responsibility for this will lie entirely with Ukraine, its Western supporters, and all Security Council member states."

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