International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have been denied access to parts of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) controlled by Russian forces.
The IAEA states that its experts have been unable to access all areas of the site, and for the past two weeks, they have been denied access to the reactor halls of Units 1, 2, and 6.
The statement mentions that IAEA experts were not allowed access to the reactor hall of a unit that was in cold shutdown for the first time. This reactor hall contains the active reactor core and spent fuel.
In addition, access to certain parts of the machine halls of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, including rooms of Reactors 3, 4, and 6, was restricted last week.
Furthermore, IAEA experts are still awaiting scheduled access to the reactor roofs, which was planned for December 19 but did not take place due to declared safety concerns.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe, was occupied by Russian forces in the early days of the full-scale invasion. Additionally, the Russians deployed military equipment on the ZNPP premises. Throughout the occupation, the station experienced several instances of disconnection from Ukraine's power grid.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts are present at the ZNPP. In early November, the agency conducted its 13th rotation of inspectors at the site.
Previously, Energoatom, the Ukrainian state enterprise responsible for nuclear power generation, emphasized that there have been seven complete blackouts at the ZNPP since the beginning of the occupation. Such incidents pose a threat to nuclear and radiation safety, not only for Ukraine but also for other nations.
