G7: "IAEA Support Team Must Be Allowed Access to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant"

Satellite images of the six reactors at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, provided by the private commercial satellite company Planet Labs PBC on the 28th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The Group of Seven (G7) has stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) support team must be able to access the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine without any obstacles or interference.

On the 29th (local time), the G7 Non-Proliferation Board issued a statement saying that the IAEA support team should be able to safely access all nuclear facilities in Ukraine in a timely manner and meet directly with Ukrainian staff within the facilities.

The board expressed concern over the serious threats to the safety and security of the facilities as Russian forces continue to control the nuclear power plant. It added that this significantly increases the risk of accidents, endangering the people of Ukraine, neighboring countries, and the international community.

Furthermore, the board emphasized that nuclear power plants should not be used for military activities or as storage for military supplies. It also stressed that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the electricity produced there belong to Ukraine, and any attempts to separate the plant from the Ukrainian power grid are unacceptable.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest single complex nuclear power plant in Europe. Although Russian forces have occupied it since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian experts are responsible for operating the facility. Recently, mysterious shelling around the plant and its vicinity has raised concerns about potential radioactive material leaks. On the 25th, a fire broke out in a nearby hill, causing a short circuit in the transmission lines connected to the plant, which led to an emergency shutdown of the transmission lines from the plant.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced that the IAEA support team departed for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on the same day. The support team, consisting of 14 members including Director General Grossi and 13 experts mainly from neutral countries, is expected to arrive at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant within this week.