IAEA says nuclear safety dangers linger at Zaporizhzhia plant

VIENNA - Several rounds of artillery fire were heard near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on Wednesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported, underlining the fragile nuclear safety situation at the site.

The IAEA team at the ZNPP heard several rounds of outgoing artillery fire coming from very near the site perimeter, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement.

"Indications of military activity taking place very close to this major nuclear power plant are deeply concerning. As I have repeatedly stated, maximum military restraint near nuclear power plants is a must in order to prevent the risk of a nuclear accident," Grossi said.

The IAEA team said they could hear military activities "every day" over the past week. A few days ago, the ZNPP informed the team of shelling taking place near the plant's transportation department, located outside the site perimeter.

The IAEA added that the nuclear plant's external power situation also remains vulnerable, with the plant relying on a single off-site power line for three months now.

The UN nuclear watchdog has been deploying its staff to the ZNPP, located in southern Ukraine, to safeguard nuclear safety and security since September 2022.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022.