On Tuesday, discussions took place in Ukraine regarding the safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which has recently experienced nearby bombings.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), met with officials during his 10th visit since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022.
Located in Zaporizhzhia, the nuclear facility is situated in one of four regions—along with Donetsk, Kherson, and Luhansk—partially annexed by Russia in September 2022 after its invasion of Ukraine.
Grossi took to X to announce his journey to Zaporizhzhia, aiming to prevent a potential nuclear incident.
Traveling with a team of IAEA experts, Grossi started his Kyiv itinerary with discussions at the Ministry of Energy alongside Minister Herman Halushchenko.
On the previous day, artillery strikes reportedly hit the facility, damaging its power supply, with operator Energoatom attributing the attacks to Russia.
The operator highlighted the risk of an emergency should the second power line become compromised, especially since technicians couldn’t reach the affected area due to ongoing shelling threats.
Analysts warn that an explosion could lead to radiation release and public panic, but they believe the radiation risk would be lower than that of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. In the event of an easterly wind, however, radiation could drift towards Russia.
The IAEA has raised alarms over the sustained attacks in Zaporizhzhia and damage to Ukraine’s power grid, affecting the nuclear stations’ power supply.
IAEA personnel at Zaporizhzhia have also had to seek shelter from potential drone threats in the vicinity.
Beyond Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine operates three additional nuclear power plants.
In a separate incident, a Russian airstrike destroyed a hotel in Zaporizhzhia, killing an 8-year-old boy and a woman, as reported by regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. Additionally, two others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl in critical condition.
Meanwhile, schools reopened in Kyiv after a barrage of drone attacks and missile strikes the night prior, though some classes were canceled due to damage from the assaults.
According to the Interior Ministry, debris from intercepted missiles fell across all districts in Kyiv, injuring three and damaging two kindergartens.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press