Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have observed directional anti-personnel mines on the periphery of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), controlled by Russia.
IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said that IAEA experts saw some mines located in a buffer zone between the sites internal and external perimeter barriers while inspecting the site. The experts reported that the mines were in a restricted area that plant personnel cannot access. No mines were discovered within the site.
“Having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance.” That said, the IAEA experts concluded that “any detonation of these mines should not affect the sites nuclear safety and security systems,” Grossi said.
Grossi had issued a similar warning about mines last month and on both occasions he suggested they posed no risk to the plant’s security.
Russia took control on Zaporozhye Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, in the first days of the war in Ukraine in Feb. 2022. Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of shelling around the station and the International Atomic Energy Agency has been trying to set up a safety mechanism to prevent accidents.
Grossi has visited the plant three times since it was taken over by Russian forces but has been unable to clinch an agreement with Russian and Ukrainian authorities to set up a safety regime to prevent accidents.
Source: Qatar News Agency