The director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency called the safety concerns at a Russian-controlled nuclear plant in Ukraine a “red light blinking” Wednesday.
Rafael Grossi said the agency is attempting to gain access to Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, to make repairs on the plant but has so far been unsuccessful.
“The situation as I have described it, and I would repeat it today, is not sustainable as it is,” Grossi told the Associated Press. “So this is a pending issue. This is a red light blinking.”
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Grossi said two of Ukraine’s 15 reactors are active, others are in need of repairs, and some need inspections. Russia’s invasion has posed serious concerns about the state of Ukraine’s nuclear plants, Grossi said.
“This is unprecedented to have a war unfolding amidst one of the world’s largest nuclear infrastructures, which, of course, makes for a number of fragile or weak points that could be, of course, exploited wittingly or unwittingly,” Grossi said. “So this requires a lot of activity on our side and cooperation. Cooperation from the Russian side. Understanding from the Ukrainian side so that we can avoid an accident.”
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Russian forces also seized the power plant at Chernobyl, where a massive nuclear meltdown 36 years ago killed 31 people. The Chernobyl plant is no longer an active nuclear station. However, it remains under observation and management, and it is still highly radioactive.
Russian forces abandoned Chernobyl last month, citing concerns over exposure to radioactive substances and military losses.
