IAEA: russians launch occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant’s third unit

9 out of 15 nuclear units are operating in Ukraine, including one more unit connected to the grid at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant occupied by russian troops, which previously worked as two units.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported this.

"On the status of Ukraine's operational nuclear power plants, the regulator said eight of the country's 15 reactors remained operating, including two at the Zaporizhzhya NPP, three at Rivne, one at Khmelnytskyi, and two at South Ukraine. Radiation levels remain normal; it added," the statement reads.

It is also noted that other reactors are stopped for scheduled maintenance or remain in reserve.

"According to Ukraine, the safety systems at four NPPs remain in working condition, and they also have external energy sources," the IAEA added.

In addition, the report, citing IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, noted that Ukraine this week, with the agency's assistance through its response and assistance network, received a large batch of vital radiation protection and monitoring equipment offered by Australia and France.

At the same time, he repeated the importance of organizing a visit to Zaporizhzhia NPP, which has been occupied by Russian troops since March 4, "to carry out important measures regarding safety and guarantees," noting that Ukraine informed the IAEA this week about the "challenging" situation at the ZNPP due to constant pressure on its workers.

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Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion, more than 230 crimes against Ukraine's environment have been recorded by the Ukrainian Ministry of Ecology. russian troops have targeted and shelled chemical and metallurgical plants, oil depots, and hazardous waste warehouses, damaging or destroying many of these objects.

Nuclear power plants have also been in the zone of active hostilities. After the Chornobyl nuclear power plant occupation, the radiation levels increased due to the russian invaders digging in the Red Forest, part of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Enerhodar is still temporarily occupied. The russian army use it as a military base where they station their ammunition and armored vehicles.

russian army's actions pose a real threat to the environment in Ukraine's territory and worldwide.

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