Many questions about the operation of the nuclear power plant: Russia sent experts to Zaporizhia

Many questions about the operation of a nuclear power plant
Russia sent experts to Zaporizhia

04/30/2022, 06:05 am

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhia, has been in Russian hands since March 4. Ukrainian employees are still working there, now under the supervision of Russian experts. The International Atomic Energy Agency reports that workers are under “incredible pressure”.

Russian authorities have sent nuclear experts to Ukraine’s nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia in the southeast. According to a statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency, eight representatives of Rosengoatom, which belong to the Russian state-owned company Rosatom, are seeking daily reports from station management on “confidential issues” related to the operation of the nuclear plant. IAEA), citing Ukrainian officials. This included questions about administrative aspects as well as maintenance and repair work and the disposal of radioactive waste, for example.

According to Ukraine, the nuclear power plant will continue to be operated by Ukrainian personnel but controlled by Russian forces. Russian troops occupied the facility on 4 March. According to information, Ukrainian employees work “under incredible pressure.” In early April, Ukraine had already informed the IAEA that the “morale and emotional state” of employees in Zaporizhia was “very low”.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has repeatedly expressed concern about the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. He had already traveled to Ukraine in March and talked to employees of a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. Russian troops had previously captured the Chernobyl nuclear facility, but withdrew in late March. After the withdrawal, there were reports that Russian troops in the area may have suffered radiation damage.

Contact with the Chernobyl plant was disrupted for nearly two months. In the meantime, technicians have upgraded the surveillance system and gradually restored long-distance transmission, the IAEA said. Four nuclear power plants with 15 units are currently in operation in Ukraine.