IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has expressed grave concerns about the recent attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. The world is now at risk of a nuclear accident, he said, confirming three attacks on the plant since April 7th.
Grossi emphasized the need for these reckless attacks to stop immediately, without assigning blame. He highlighted the dangerous situation at the plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised. The remote-controlled drones used in the attacks make it difficult to identify the perpetrators, as there is no clear evidence to determine who is behind them.
The ongoing conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces has heightened the risk of a nuclear catastrophe, considering that the plant is in Russian-controlled territory. The fear of a nuclear disaster has been prevalent since Russian troops occupied the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant following the invasion in February 2022. The continued fighting and supply concerns at the plant have exacerbated the situation, making the risk of a disaster even greater.
Ukraine and its allies have blamed Russia for the dangers at the site, while Russia has denied responsibility and pointed fingers at Ukraine for the attacks. However, Grossi’s statement highlights that uncertainty surrounding these attacks and lack of definitive proof have raised concerns about nuclear safety.
The international community has called for an immediate cessation of these attacks to prevent a potential nuclear accident, including IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi himself. The situation remains critical, and further actions are needed to secure safety at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and prevent a potential nuclear disaster.