The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has issued a caution after Ukraine reported a fire at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation today following “military activity”.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant was partly disconnected from its off-site power sources at the request of the grid operator due to the incident.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, expressed “deep concern” and emphasized the significance of substations in ensuring nuclear safety.
The IAEA was notified by Ukraine that a fire had erupted at the Dniprovska 750-kilovolt electrical substation today due to military actions. Consequently, the South Ukraine nuclear power plant was partially disconnected from its off-site power supplies as requested by the grid operator. Firefighters are currently on-site working to contain the fire.
In related news, Russia’s nuclear energy chief has raised alarms about the deteriorating safety conditions at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was targeted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces last weekend, according to Russia, and had also been attacked earlier this month. Russian authorities reported that a drone strike at the plant in April, carried out by Ukraine, resulted in the death of a driver.
The broader Zaporizhzhia region has faced attacks from Vladimir Putin’s forces in recent weeks. A Russian assault at an industrial infrastructure facility in the region last Friday led to one fatality, as reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, recently warned that the situation at the nuclear plant is approaching a critical juncture.
He emphasized the urgency of de-escalating tensions surrounding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, stating that Europe must intensify its efforts to prevent a point of no return. Likhachev highlighted the risks posed by breaching the site, which houses 2,600 tonnes of nuclear fuel, on a regional scale.
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