Ukraine is awaiting updated information from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding a possible diesel fuel spill at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgiy Tikhiy.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Tikhiy noted that the day before, the Ukrainian foreign ministry received data about damage to a tank at the occupied plant. He emphasized that Ukraine has appealed to the IAEA with a request to urgently conduct an inspection and assess the consequences of a possible accident using the mission that is on the territory of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
“We promptly reached out to the IAEA to verify the information and assess the consequences of a possible accident through the mission that is directly located at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP. And we are now expecting messages, updates from the IAEA in this regard,” said Tikhiy.
He added that similar incidents at the Zaporizhzhia NPP could recur, as “the operation of the plant is being conducted by unlicensed, external personnel.”
Humanitarian Interaction with the IAEA
Tikhiy also reported on the establishment of a separate humanitarian track for cooperation with the IAEA, aimed at returning to the controlled territory employees of the Zaporizhzhia NPP who have been unlawfully imprisoned.
“Ukraine is fighting for all its people, both civilians and military, and the employees of the Zaporizhzhia NPP are part of our dialogue,” he noted.
The IAEA has confirmed that it received information about a possible fuel spill, which is stored for the diesel generators of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. However, according to the agency, the team at the plant denies this information, claiming that no leaks have been detected.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, came under the control of Russian forces in March 2022. The territory of the plant periodically becomes the target of shelling, resulting in international concerns regarding the safety of nuclear energy in the region. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that the Zaporizhzhia NPP is being used by the Russian army for military purposes.