Berlin, 10 August 2022 (TDI): The Group of Seven (G7) affirmed support to IAEA’s efforts to promote nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine which recently came under Russian shelling.
The Foreign Ministers of G7 countries condemned this act of Russian aggression. Additionally, they emphasized facilitating a mission of IAEA experts to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to address nuclear safety, security, and safeguard concerns.
The @G7 Foreign Ministers support the @iaeaorg’s efforts for Nuclear Safety & Security at the #Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant: The seizure of the facility & other Russian actions raise the risk of a nuclear accident or incident & endanger the population. https://t.co/uURy2JDFuN pic.twitter.com/q9xKsG82bV
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 10, 2022
Shelling on Zaporizhzya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP)
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi informed that Ukraine had informed the Agency of a shelling incident on Saturday near the dry spent fuel storage facility at the country’s Zaporizhzya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
The shelling had caused some damage, but available radiation measurements had continued to show normal levels at the site.
Shelling incident on 6 Aug near dry spent fuel storage facility at #Zaporizhzya NPP caused damage, but available radiation measurements show normal levels at the site, #Ukraine has said. IAEA experts assessed there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety https://t.co/c0bhI85wqm pic.twitter.com/E6XOsqHZrC
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) August 9, 2022
Based on the information provided by Ukraine, IAEA experts assessed that there was no immediate threat to nuclear safety as a result of Saturday’s incident.
However, the incident showed how the conflict in Ukraine had compromised nuclear safety and security pillars related to Emergency Preparedness and Response arrangements as well as communications.
G7 lends support to IAEA response in Ukraine
IAEA Director General Grossi expressed grave concern about the situation at the ZNPP. He said that any military action jeopardizing nuclear safety and security must stop.
Furthermore, he stressed the need for an IAEA expert mission to go to the plant as soon as possible to help stabilize the nuclear safety and security situation.
The IAEA has not been able to visit the Russian-occupied facility in Ukraine’s south since before the conflict began more than five months ago.
However, it is in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities and continues to monitor the nuclear safety and security situation.
G7 countries supported IAEA’s call on the matter. Subsequently, they advocated for IAEA staff to access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine safely and without impediment and interference.
Finally, they also endorsed the importance of the Seven Pillars of Nuclear Safety and Security as outlined by IAEA Director General Grossi and an expert mission to Ukraine.
