IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has expressed grave concerns about the recent attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, warning that the world is now at risk of a nuclear accident. He confirmed three attacks on the plant since April 7th, emphasizing the urgent need for these reckless attacks to stop immediately.
Grossi, without assigning blame, highlighted the precarious situation at the plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised. He mentioned that the use of remote-controlled drones in the attacks makes it difficult to identify perpetrators, as there is no clear evidence to determine who is behind them. The ongoing conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces has only heightened the risk of a nuclear catastrophe, considering that the plant is located in Russian-controlled territory.
Since February 2022, when Russian troops occupied the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following an invasion of Ukraine, fears of a nuclear disaster have persisted. The ongoing fighting and supply concerns at the plant have only worsened the situation, making it even more likely that a disaster could occur. Ukraine and its allies have accused Russia of being responsible for dangers at the site, while Russia has denied any involvement and placed blame on Ukraine for carrying out attacks against its own power plants.
The uncertainty surrounding these attacks and lack of definitive proof has raised concerns about safety at this crucial nuclear power plant. The international community, including Grossi and other organizations such as Amnesty International and Greenpeace, have called for an immediate cessation of these attacks to prevent a potential nuclear accident from occurring. Despite some progress in recent days with deescalation talks between Russia and Ukraine, it remains critical to secure safety measures around this sensitive site before another catastrophe can occur.
Grossi’s statement was made during an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer after he returned from Kyiv where he met with Ukrainian officials to discuss his concerns about security at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
“We cannot afford any further escalation or misuse of military force near this highly sensitive facility,” said Grossi.
“It’s not just about protecting human life but also preventing environmental disaster,” he added.
His words echo those of many scientists who have warned that any damage done to this nuclear power plant could lead to catastrophic consequences for both Ukraine and beyond its borders.
Overall, Grossi’s call for an immediate cessation of these reckless attacks underscores how critical it is for all parties involved to work together towards a peaceful resolution before another disaster occurs.