The recent smoke near the ZNPP was caused by a forest fire nearby
The power transmission lines connecting the ZNPP to the Ukrainian power system operate stably, providing reliable external power to the station to ensure radiation safety
On July 19, smoke in the area of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was caused by a forest fire, there is no danger to the plant, Radio Liberty reports, citing a statement by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.
“The IAEA team at the Zapadnaya NPP reports seeing smoke caused by a forest fire at a safe distance from the plant, with no current threats to nuclear safety,” he said in his comments on Saturday.
The Ministry of Energy also commented on the situation: the power transmission lines connecting the Zaporizhzhia NPP to the Ukrainian power system are operating stably and provide "reliable external power supply to the station to ensure radiation safety."
As Minister Svitlana Grinchuk noted, due to the actions of the occupiers and Russian shelling of the areas around the nuclear facility, which led to damage to power lines, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe has already been in a blackout state nine times. Powering a nuclear power plant with generators is an extreme risk for nuclear safety.
Despite the occupation of the facility by the Russian Federation, Ukraine fulfills its obligations, in particular regarding nuclear safety, and ensures electricity supply to the ZNPP through the capacities of the unified Ukrainian energy system.
Energoatom reported that there is no immediate threat to the nuclear safety of the ZNPP. However, the situation remains potentially dangerous, as the facility is under the control of the Russians, who systematically violate nuclear, radiation, and fire safety requirements.
"The creation of fire-hazardous conditions near the largest nuclear power plant in Europe is yet another evidence of the occupiers' irresponsible attitude towards a critically important facility. Russian negligence carries a constant threat of a catastrophe, the consequences of which could extend far beyond the borders of Ukraine," said Energoatom head Petro Kotin.
It is noted that the ZNPP should be demilitarized as soon as possible and returned to the full control of Ukraine and its legal operator - JSC "NNEK "Energoatom". Only this will guarantee the stable and safe operation of the plant and peace for the entire European region.
On July 19, information appeared in the media about smoke in the area of the Zaporizhzhia NPP occupied by Russia, as well as about the power outage in part of the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian occupation.
As reported by "Ukrainian Energy", on June 6, the IAEA director stated that the situation at the ZNPP is fragile: 6 out of 7 pillars of nuclear safety are fully or partially violated.
The Ministry of Energy believes that Russia will not be able to safely operate the Zapadnaya NPP. The Zapadnaya NPP does not produce electricity because its units are in a state of cold shutdown due to the occupation. At the same time, the plant receives electricity from the Ukrainian power system
