The IAEA has published a report on the results of the mission to the Zaporozhye NPP

MOSCOW, 6 Sep — PRIME. The shelling around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant must be stopped, an agreement is needed between the parties to create a protective zone around the facility in order to avoid damage, the IAEA report on the results of the mission says.

The experts indicated that the attacks continue to pose a continuing threat to nuclear safety, with the potential to impact critical functions, which could lead to radiological consequences.

“The IAEA recommends that shelling on and around the site cease immediately to avoid further damage to the station and associated facilities, to ensure the safety of operating personnel, and to maintain physical integrity to ensure safe and reliable operation,” the authors of the report stressed, adding that to ensure the safety of the plant, the consent of all relevant parties to the establishment of a buffer zone is necessary.

The document also states that shelling could damage other critical systems and equipment of the station and then release radioactive materials into the environment in an unrestricted manner.

Therefore, any shelling that jeopardizes the safety and security of the ZNPP must be avoided,” the experts stressed.

In addition, the specialists noted the need to “provide reliable and backup means and communication channels, including the Internet and / or satellite communications, with all external organizations necessary for the safe and reliable operation of the facility.” The lack of communications could exacerbate “existing challenges in maintaining the safe and reliable operation of the power plant with proper regulatory oversight and in ensuring an effective local, regional, national and international response to any nuclear safety event”,

The agency has recommended that all hostilities that may affect the power supply systems be stopped, and the redundancy of the power line outside the nuclear power plant be restored.

In addition, the report states that the parties must do their part “to ensure efficient supply chains for the plant’s nuclear safety under all conditions, including safe transport corridors.” The IAEA also recommended organizing exercises at ZNPP to develop an effective response in case of an emergency at the facility.

The report also notes that the organization recorded damage, including a special building for storing radioactive waste and fresh nuclear fuel.

Last week, an IAEA mission led by Rafael Grossi arrived at the Zaporozhye NPP. The head of the delegation of “Rosatom” and employees of the Zaporizhzhya NPP led the delegation of the IAEA through its territory and showed the sections of the station that were damaged during the shelling of Ukrainian troops. As Mikhail Ulyanov, permanent representative of the Russian Federation to international organizations in Vienna, told RIA Novosti, two IAEA employees will remain at the Zaporozhye NPP on a permanent basis.