IAEA: Mines found near nuclear power plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced that anti-personnel mines were observed near the facilities where the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is located in Ukraine.

Emphasizing that the situation is inconsistent with safety standards, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that if the mines explode, it is not likely to affect the plant’s safety systems, but it does create psychological pressure on the staff working at the plant.

According to a written IAEA statement, Grossi said IAEA experts observed antipersonnel mines around the site of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

During the inspection march on July 23, the IAEA team detected some mines located in the buffer zone between the site’s inner and outer perimeter barriers. The experts reported that the mines were located in a restricted area, inaccessible to personnel operating the facility. The team did not observe anything around the infield during the march.

POWER PLANT CREATES PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE ON ITS EMPLOYEES

“As I previously reported, the IAEA was aware of the fact that mines had been placed outside the perimeter of the site, as well as in certain locations inside,” Grossi said. “Our team discussed this particular find with the facility and they were told it was a military decision and it was in an area controlled by the military.”

Emphasizing that the presence of such explosives at the facility site is inconsistent with IAEA safety standards and nuclear safety guidelines, Grossi also stated that, based on initial assessments, it is not likely to affect the power plant’s nuclear safety and security systems in the event of a detonation, but creates additional psychological pressure on personnel working at the power plant.

CONTINUES ACCESS TO THE REACTORS COVERED

Saying that the IAEA team will continue to communicate with the facility, Grossi said that no heavy military equipment was found during inspections in recent weeks, and that ZNPP continues to request access to the roofs of its reactors and turbine halls, including units 3 and 4, which are particularly interesting.