IAEA to deploy permanent teams at Ukraine’s nuclear power plants

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to deploy groups on a permanent basis at the Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, and South Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) and at the Chornobyl site.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi agreed on the deployment of IAEA teams at four Ukrainian facilities last week, EP writes.

The agency said that these missions aim to provide technical support and assistance necessary to maintain a high level of nuclear and physical security and reduce the risk of a nuclear incident or accident.

On December 16, Ukraine was subjected to heavy shelling throughout the territory. This led to a decrease in the capacity of the Khmelnytskyi and Rivne NPPs, as well as a disconnection from the power grid of the South Ukrainian NPP. None of Ukraine's nuclear power plants experienced a loss of power outside the site.

Currently, all nine power units are operating again at these three NPPs.

The IAEA also notes that diplomatic efforts to create a nuclear safety protection zone around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are moving forward.

Reference

russia has declared that it will not give up control over the ZNPP to create a nuclear safety zone.