IAEA chief arrives at South Ukrainian NPP: It's vital to be on the ground to provide effective support to Ukraine, Rafael Grossi noted

VIENNA: Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi reported on Wednesday that he had arrived at the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant to provide technical assistance to ensure the security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities amid Russia’s military operation.

"I'm at South #Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant to meet Ukrainian gov't officials and staff, and start @IAEAorg [IAEA] technical assistance for safety and security of country’s nuclear facilities. Vital to be on the ground to provide effective support to [Ukraine] in these extremely difficult times," he wrote on his Twitter page.

According to him, the IAEA’s presence in Ukraine "will help prevent the danger of a nuclear accident that could have severe public health and environmental consequences in #Ukraine and beyond."

On March 29, the IAEA chief arrived in Ukraine with a mission to ensure the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities against the background of Russia’s military operation. According to him, "the military conflict is putting Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and other facilities with radioactive material in unprecedented danger." His visit will last one week. Grossi will also send IAEA experts to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to deliver "vital safety and security supplies including monitoring and emergency equipment" in order to "reduce the risk of a nuclear accident."

Grossi stressed that the IAEA had developed specific and detailed plans of providing assistance to the Ukrainian nuclear facilities. This will facilitate the IAEA‘s work on ensuring nuclear guarantees of the non-proliferation of nuclear material in Ukraine.

After the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, Grossi said that the agency was discussing the mechanism of ensuring the nuclear security of nuclear power plants controlled by the Russian military with both countries. Earlier, the IAEA said that Ukraine had notified the agency about the loss of control over the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was seized by Russian troops, and about the transition of territory around the Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant under their control. Currently, there is no threat of radiation spreading. Grossi urged to ensure the security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and prevent radioactive pollution.