KYIV: UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi said he discussed the safety of Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, four weeks after Ukraine launched its unprecedented cross-border incursion last month.
Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited the Kursk nuclear facility last week and expressed grave concerns about its safety due to its proximity to ongoing military conflict. His visit comes four weeks after Ukrainian forces launched a significant operation into the Kursk region on August 6.
During his visit to Kyiv, Grossi conveyed his observations about the situation at the Kursk plant to Zelensky. He emphasized the critical need to prevent any incidents that could lead to a radiological emergency.
“We had a general evaluation of what I saw at the Kursk nuclear plant. It was important for me to relay my impressions and stress the importance of avoiding any situation that could result in a radiological emergency,” Grossi told reporters after his meeting with Zelensky.
Grossi’s visit comes amidst heightened concerns over the potential impact of the ongoing conflict on nuclear facilities. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the IAEA has consistently warned about the dangers of military activity near nuclear plants, including the risk of power supply interruptions due to strikes.
Grossi is scheduled to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on Wednesday. This plant, which was captured by Russian forces shortly after the invasion began, has been a focal point of international concern.
The IAEA has repeatedly highlighted the deteriorating safety situation at Zaporizhzhia. The plant has come under repeated attacks that both sides have accused each other of carrying out.
The IAEA announced on Tuesday that it will send an expert team “soon” to assess damaged Ukrainian electrical substations crucial for nuclear safety. “The safety of operating nuclear power plants relies heavily on a stable and reliable connection to the electricity grid. The ongoing conflict is making this situation increasingly vulnerable and potentially dangerous,” Grossi stated.
