Over the past two weeks, IAEA experts have reported a deterioration in the cooling system for the reactors at the russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which remain in a cold shutdown state.
“The team has observed the increasing challenges in ensuring a reliable supply of cooling water for the six reactors and their safety systems in cold shutdown, especially under current hot weather conditions, when the evaporation rate is high,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
He noted that all six reactors have been in cold shutdown since spring 2024, but still require cooling water for safety systems, reactor cores, and spent fuel pools.
Rafael Grossi also stated that the IAEA staff observed smoke and found burnt trees near the ZNPP cooling towers. Additionally, IAEA teams monitoring nuclear safety and security at Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants – Khmelnytsky, Rivne, and South Ukraine NPPs – as well as at the Chornobyl site, reported hearing air raid alarms almost daily over the past week. At Khmelnytsky NPP, the team even had to shelter.
Ukraine’s Minister of Energy Svitlana Grynchuk emphasized that irresponsible actions of the russian occupiers continue to pose direct threats to nuclear safety. She stressed that any provocations in the area of the plant could lead to unpredictable and catastrophic consequences.
According to the Minister, the very occurrence of such incidents is proof of the aggressor’s reckless policy.
“Once again, the russians are proving that their actions create a real threat to nuclear safety not only for Ukraine but for the entire European continent. Pressure on russia must be maintained. Ukraine’s position remains unchanged: the only way to restore nuclear safety and stability in the region is the complete demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhia NPP and its return to full Ukrainian control,” stated Svitlana Grynchuk.
