IAEA: Zaporizhzhia NPP still mined by Russians

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has completed drilling ten groundwater wells. This is done to provide cooling water for the shutdown reactors after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam by the Russian occupiers. However, the plant is still mined by the Russian troops of the aggressor country.

This was stated by Director-General Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA press service reports. According to him, there is a shortage of qualified personnel.

"More than 200 cubic meters of water can now be supplied to the sprinkler ponds that cool the six ZNPP reactors and spend fuel. The IAEA has been informed that an additional well is planned to be drilled at the site, bringing the total number of wells to 11, which is expected to be 250 cubic meters of water per hour to maintain the cooling of the reactors and spent fuel pools in the current shutdown state. The ZNPP cooling pond remains intact and contains a large volume of water that can also provide cooling for the shutdown ZNPP reactors for many months," Grossi said.

This week, the experts continued to inspect ZNPP. They checked the main control rooms of power units 2, 5 and 6.

"Units 2 and 5 remain in cold shutdown, while unit 6 remains in hot shutdown. The team did not observe any heavy weapons during the walkover, but confirmed that the mines reported earlier remain in place," the CEO said.

According to him, the staffing of the plant is still a concern, as a significant number of employees have left ZNPP, including licensed operators from the main control rooms.

Currently, the radiation level at ZNPP remains normal. The status of ZNPP's external power supply has also changed.

"These reports are another reminder of the potential nuclear safety risks faced by nuclear facilities and facility personnel during the military conflict in the country," Grossi emphasized.

As OBOZREVATEL reported, the Russian occupiers created an emergency at Zaporizhzhia NPP. The purification system of the steam generator blown-down water of power unit No. 6 has recently completely failed at the facility due to the negligence and unprofessional actions of the Russians. Trying to help the situation, the occupiers allowed radioactive coolant to enter the environment.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!