Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant In Ukraine Safe, No Radioactive Material Released After Russian Forces Took Control: IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the nuclear watchdog that functions under the auspices of the United Nations, has confirmed that no radioactive material had been released after Russian forces took control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Ukraine informed the IAEA that the nuclear power plant continued to be operated by its regular staff and there had been no release of radioactive material, Director General Rafael Mario Grossi said.

A projectile overnight had hit a training building in the vicinity of one of the plant’s reactor units, causing a localized fire that was later extinguished.

IAEA said that the safety systems of the plant’s six reactors had not been affected and there has been no release of radioactive material.

Radiation monitoring systems at the site are fully functional, IAEA added

Of the plant’s reactor units, Unit 1 is shut down for maintenance, Units 2 and 3 have undergone a controlled shut down, Unit 4 is operating at 60 percent power and Units 5 and 6 are being held “in reserve” in low power mode.

The IAEA Director General however expressed grave concern over the situation at Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant. The main priority was to ensure the safety and security of the plant, its power supply and the people who operate it, he said.

Russian troops took control of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine early Friday morning after a firefight with Ukrainian troops. Initial reports prompted alarm over the possibility that nuclear reactors might be damaged and release radioactive material.

Ukraine is heavily dependent on nuclear power, with its 15 reactors accounting for around half of its electricity. Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant provides about 20% of the country’s electricity.