MOSCOW: The safety of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has been compromised because of a recent shelling triggered a blackout, the UN nuclear watchdog warned Friday, and the plant's operators are considering shutting down the only remaining reactor.
IAEA director Rafael Grossi tweeted that a "dramatic development" had occurred that "caused a complete blackout in Energodar [city] and compromised the safe operation of nearby Zaporizhzhya."
This is completely unfair. He called for an "immediate cessation of all shelling in the entire region" as "it cannot be tolerated."
Only this, he continued, "will ensure the safety of operating staff and allow long-term restoration of power to Energodar and the power plant."
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is the Zaporizhzhia Plant.
It was attacked by Russian troops in March, and has since been shelled, with Ukraine and Russia blaming each other for the attacks, raising fears of a nuclear devastation.
Grossi claimed that IAEA workers at the scene informed him of the gunfire on Friday.
He claimed that the city, which is home to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, is currently experiencing a "complete power blackout" due to the shelling of the switchyard at Energodar's thermal power plant. No sewage, no electricity, no running water, he declared.
Energodar residents and plant operators were in "increasingly dire conditions", and there was a "significant risk" that the plant would not have enough essential workers to continue operations.
Furthermore, given the increasing and ongoing firepower, there was a "lesser chance" of re-establishing reliable off-site power, he continued.
As a result, the IAEA is aware that the operator is considering shutting down the only stable-operation reactor because it no longer has confidence in off-site power recovery.
In recent times, the plant has relied on this reactor to provide the energy needed for cooling and other safety-related operations.
To maintain the necessary nuclear safety and security functions, the entire power plant would then be entirely dependent on emergency diesel generators, Grossi warned.
The IAEA on Tuesday sought to establish a security perimeter around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, claiming the situation was "unstable".
A 14-member IAEA team visited the venue last week. Two members will be there permanently to ensure the security of the facility.
In response to concerns about a nuclear emergency, Kyiv on Wednesday called for the establishment of an international mission at the plant and the evacuation of the local population.
Ethiopia receives First humanitarian shipment of grain from Ukraine
US sending GPS-guided Excalibur artillery shells its most accurate to Ukraine