21 Nov 2022 14:40

Zaporozhye NPP exposed to risk of nuclear accident - Rosatom CEO

SOCHI. Nov 21 (Interfax) - The Russian state atomic energy corporation Rosatom was in talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) all night concerning the situation at the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, which is exposed to the risk of a nuclear accident, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachyov said.

"The plant is exposed to the risk of a nuclear accident. We were in negotiations with the IAEA the whole night," Likhachyov said on the sidelines of the Atomexpo 2022 exhibition in Sochi on Monday.

Since September until recently, the Zaporozhye NPP saw "a pretty quiet period," Likhachyov said.

"However, there were at least 30 strikes over the weekend. The spent nuclear fuel storage facility, the special building, and transport routes have been struck, and reserve diesel generators have been damaged," Likhachyov said.

Likhachyov described the IAEA's new resolution on the Zaporozhya NPP as "an unacceptable and inappropriate document."

According to official reports, the Zaporozhye NPP has been controlled by the Russian army since February 28.

The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly accused Ukrainian armed forces of shelling facilities on the Zaporozhye NPP grounds and creating the threat of a radiation accident.

IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi called for the immediate cessation of the shelling of the Zaporozhya NPP in a Sunday statement.

Speaking on Monday, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov suggested that the situation at and around the Zaporozhye NPP should be assessed impartially, not only mentioning the shelling of its territory but also indicating that it has been shelled by Ukrainian forces.