No landmines detected at ZNPP during IAEA’s Grossi visit
During a visit to Russia-occupied Zaporizhzhia
Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Director-General Rafael Grossi reported not observing any landmines near the
facility’s cooling pond, despite earlier accounts of their presence, the agency
said in a message on its website June 21.
The IAEA noted that while no mines were detected during Grossi's visit, they had been informed of previous placements outside the plant's perimeter. According to the "security service personnel," mines had been laid "for defensive purposes" at particular locations within the facility.
"Our assessment of these specific locations is that while the presence of any explosive device does not comply with safety standards, the facility's primary security functions are not significantly affected; we are closely monitoring this issue," Grossi emphasized.
The official underscored that the state of nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia NPP is extremely delicate.
He also mentioned the substantial challenges posed by the loss of the Kakhovka Reservoir to the region as a whole and particularly to the ZNPP. Grossi urged all parties to adhere to the IAEA's fundamental principles to prevent a nuclear accident.
“We’re increasing our efforts to ensure nuclear security and protection (of the facility) and provide aid to the affected region via other means,” Grossi concluded.
On June 20, Ukrainian Military Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, reported that Russian forces had further mined the cooling pond at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
Earlier, Grossi had warned that the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station dam posed a threat to the operation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, as the necessary water level for cooling the reactors could be lost in a few weeks.
Following his visit to the Zaporizhzhia NPP on June 15, Grossi reported that the situation was serious but stabilizing.
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