IAEA experts denied access to parts of occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Photo: For two weeks, the IAEA has not been allowed into part of the reactor halls at the Zaporizhzhia NPP (facebook com rostinfocom)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts are being denied access to certain areas of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) currently occupied by Russia, reports IAEA.
"The IAEA experts remain unable to gain access to all parts of the site, and for the past two weeks they have not been allowed to access the reactor halls of units 1, 2 and 6," the statement said.
It is noted that IAEA experts were not allowed access to the reactor hall of a power unit that was in cold shutdown for the first time. The active reactor zone and spent fuel are located in this area.
Other restricted areas for IAEA Representatives
Last week, access to some parts of the machine rooms of the Zaporizhzhia NPP was restricted, including rooms No. 3, 4, and 6 of the reactors.
IAEA experts are also still awaiting access to the reactor roofs, scheduled for December 19, which did not happen due to stated safety considerations.
Situation at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP
The largest nuclear power plant in Europe was occupied by Russian forces in the early days of the full-scale invasion. Moreover, the occupiers deployed military equipment on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Throughout the period of occupation, the station has been disconnected from Ukraine's power grid several times.
IAEA experts are stationed at the plant, and at the beginning of November, the agency conducted its 13th rotation of inspectors.
Previously, in Energoatom, it was emphasized that since the start of the occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, there have been seven complete blackouts. Such incidents can pose a threat to nuclear and radiation safety not only for Ukraine but also for other states.
