Nuclear Safety Risks Discussed by IAEA Director

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, believes that different situations have arisen at the Kursk and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants, yet both cases concern nuclear safety risks.

“I think we need to clearly state that Zaporizhzhia and Kursk are different cases. The overall declaration—nuclear and physical safety—can be jeopardized,” he announced during a press conference held on the occasion of the opening of the IAEA Board of Governors' regular session in Vienna.

According to Grossi, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located near a combat zone that has been shelled. He reminded that one of the cooling towers at the plant has burned, and the plant has also experienced power outages. “The situation with Kursk is different. This plant is operating in normal mode within the territory of the Russian Federation. Approximately 30 kilometers away, combat operations are ongoing. During my visit to the Kursk nuclear power plant, I was also shown alleged traces of shells,” he said.

He emphasized that the situation regarding Zaporizhzhia involves the agency's active presence and support, while in the case of Kursk, the agency is monitoring the situation, “which seems to be slightly out of control.”