The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency cautioned Saturday that a safety zone surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station is a “absolute and urgent requirement” after the reactor lost its only external power line during conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
After midnight on Saturday, artillery shelling forced the plant to switch to emergency diesel generators with limited fuel.
Grossi reports that the generators have enough power for 10 days and that the IAEAN is working to increase fuel supplies.
Grossi said, “Continuing to shell the plant’s single external power supply is irresponsible.” Zaporizhia’s nuclear plant must be protected.
Since Russia declared Zaporizhzhia and three other Ukrainian areas part of Russia on September 30, warfare has risen. Kyiv claims Russian forces kidnapped the ZNPP director general during the latest conflict.
Nuclear reactors need constant power to avoid a meltdown. Ukrainian soldiers were afraid to fight in Zaporizhia because of a nuclear disaster.
Grossi will visit Russia and Ukraine to propose building a nuclear safety and security zone to avert a “nuclear calamity”
Previous shelling near ZNPP, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, caused building damage, power interruptions, and a partial shutdown.
In August, Zelenskyy said Russian shelling near ZNPP nearly caused a “radiation tragedy” after the facility lost power and switched to backup generators.
