The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of an "unprecedented" situation after the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, was rocked by powerful explosions.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi said that the agency was closely monitoring the situation. During an interview, he said that the nuclear power plant is at the front line, which makes the situation much more volatile and in need of urgent action.
Explosions at Zaporizhzhia
Prior to the war between Russia and Ukraine, the nuclear power plant supplied 20% of the former's power. But now, it is largely idle, but the plant's reactors still need to be constantly cooled down with circulating water to prevent them from overheating, which could lead to a nuclear catastrophe within hours.
The possible catastrophe that could result from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant could dwarf what happened in Chernobyl. Grossi led his agency's first mission into an active war zone in late August to inspect the stability of the Zaporizhzhia site, as per CBS News.
Grossi detailed his team's experience at the time, saying that as they approached the last Ukrainian checkpoint, they started hearing shooting close to where they were. He added that even the people at the checkpoint started to run for shelter. Grossi said that they interpreted the situation as an attempt to prevent them from getting to the site.
Shelling amid the war resulted in the destruction of one of the Zaporizhzhia plant's office buildings and the workers who stayed at the site were under duress. A spokesman for the plant who fled Ukraine said that he felt like a hostage after working four months under Russian military troops.
According to CNN, Grossi said that the IAEA's team observed some damage to buildings, systems, and equipment at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following the recent explosions. Fortunately, they added that there were no reports of casualties.
Threat of Nuclear Catastrophe
Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear power company, said that it appeared that Russian military forces were trying to hinder Kyiv's ability to provide electricity to its people. In recent weeks, the Kremlin has carried out a series of bombings and airstrikes on Ukrainian infrastructure aimed at crippling Ukraine's ability to provide heat to its citizens as the winter season approaches.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry alleged that the explosions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant were the result of artillery fired by the Ukrainian military forces. On the other hand, Ukrainian authorities accused Russian troops of storing heavy weaponry inside the plant and using it as a cover to launch attacks.
Grossi and his agency have repeatedly called for both Russia and Ukraine to implement a nuclear safety and security zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plan. The director general has taken part in "intense consultations with Ukraine and Russia about establishing such a zone, but so far without an agreement."
When the explosions occurred at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Grossi said that the attacks were completely unacceptable. The IAEA chief added that whoever was behind the explosions should stop immediately, arguing that they were playing with fire, Fox News reported.
