Nuclear safety situation at ZNPP is extremely fragile — Grossi

This is reported on the IAEA website.

"The nuclear safety and security situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is extremely fragile. The loss of the Kakhovka reservoir was a catastrophe for the region as a whole and has also added to the severe difficulties for this major nuclear power plant," Grossi said.

The IAEA is aware of information about the possibility of mining in the area of ​​the NPP cooling reservoir. No mines were found during Grossi's visits, but the agency has information about prior placement of mines both inside the station and around its perimeter.

"Our assessment of those particular placements was that while the presence of any explosive device is not in line with safety standards, the main safety functions of the facility would not be significantly affected. We are following the issue with great attention," Grossi said.

During the last two weeks the ZNPP received the cooling water it needed from the reserves stored in the discharge channel of the nearby Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant.

"Adding to the potential dangers facing the plant, the ZNPP remains dependent on a single operational 750 kilovolt (kV) power line for the external electricity it needs for reactor cooling and other essential nuclear safety and security functions," the IAEA added.

The IAEA's response to the Kakhovka HPP explosion

On June 6, Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the consequences of the Kakhovka HPP explosion and the risks for the ZNPP with the head of the IAEA and invited him to Ukraine. In response, Grossi stated that he would lead the organization's next mission to the ZNPP after the hydroelectric power plant was blown up by Russia.

Rafael Grossi later expressed concern that in two days, the ZNPP would no longer be able to receive water for cooling from the Kakhovka HPP reservoir. On June 8, the water level in the Kakhovka Reservoir dropped by 2.8 meters to 14.03 meters, and the rate of loss slowed down to 5-7 cm/h. Grossi added that if the water level falls below 12.7 meters, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will no longer be able to extract water from the reservoir for the site.

On June 9, it was noted that based on preliminary conclusions from IAEA experts, the Zaporizhzhia NPP should be able to pump water from the reservoir to cool the reactors even after the level drops below the critical 12.7 meters. At the same time, Director General Grossi announced an aid program for Ukraine in response to the flooding of the dam in Nova Kakhovka.

On June 12, Grossi expressed concern about the rapid decrease in water levels at Zaporizhzhia TPP following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP. The IAEA is requesting access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to clarify the discrepancy in data regarding the water level at the blown-up Kakhovka dam, used for cooling the ZNPP reactors.

On June 12, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi was on his way to Ukraine to assess the situation at the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP and present an assistance program after the Kakhovka disaster.

On June 13, Rafael Grossi arrived in Ukraine to personally assess the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

On June 15, it became known that Grossi was unable to enter the ZNPP on June 14 because Russia did not give security guarantees, but promised them “with a high degree of probability” on Friday.