IAEA: "Russia Continues to Prohibit Access to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Roof"... Suspected Explosive Device Installation

"Suspected Explosives on Roof Must Be Approached"
Concerns Over Nuclear Plant Explosion Following Kahowka Dam Blast

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed concern that, despite requesting access from the Russian side to inspect the roof of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, which is occupied by Russian forces, to dispel suspicions that explosives had been installed on the roof, access continues to be blocked.

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Ukraine and the international community have warned that, similar to when Russian forces blew up the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River, they may carry out a destructive operation on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to prevent a Ukrainian counterattack. If Russian forces do proceed with an explosion, there are concerns that millions of residents in the surrounding areas could be exposed to radiation.

According to AFP on the 20th (local time), IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated in a press release that "Russia still does not allow IAEA experts access to the reactor roofs." He added, "We have not yet received approval for access requests to the reactor roofs and turbine halls, especially for reactors 3 and 4, which are of particular interest. We continue to request access approval."

Previously, Ukraine and Western countries raised concerns that Russian forces had installed explosives on the roofs of reactors 3 and 4 at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and might detonate them upon withdrawal from the plant.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest single nuclear power facility in Europe, was occupied by Russian forces shortly after the outbreak of war in February last year and remains under Russian control. Continuous fighting around the plant, along with recurring power and water supply disruptions, have consistently raised fears of radioactive leakage from the plant. Recently, as Ukraine’s counteroffensive has intensified, the possibility that Russian forces might blow up the Zaporizhzhia plant before withdrawing has been raised.

Earlier, on the 4th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the international community for swift intervention, stating that "Russian forces have installed explosives or similar objects on the roof of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant." However, the Russian government vehemently denied these claims, countering that "Ukraine is planning sabotage operations targeting the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant."

Since the 6th, the IAEA has requested the local Russian forces, where suspicions have been raised, to expand access to the roofs of reactors 3 and 4 to verify whether explosives are indeed installed. However, two weeks after the request, Russian forces have not opened access to the roofs of the Zaporizhzhia plant, and it remains unconfirmed whether explosives have actually been installed.

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