Agency continuing regular site checks at nuclear station in Ukraine, raising further concerns about the ability of the site to properly maintain the systems, structures and components important for nuclear safety and security, the International Atomic Energy Agency said.
The agency said the number of maintenance staff at the six-unit facility, the largest in Europe, currently stands at about one-third in comparison to before the armed conflict in Ukraine began in February 2022.
A Zaporizhzhia spokesperson said new staff had been recruited, but it would take time for them to complete training and gain the necessary experience to work on the site.
The spokesperson said maintenance contractors from Russia’s state nuclear operator Rosenergoatom can attend at short notice to assist in the performance of maintenance tasks.
In addition to recent maintenance work on a steam generator at Unit 4, the site is performing other maintenance activities on the safety and electrical systems of the reactor units.
Unit 6 remains in hot shutdown for steam production on site. Units 1 to 5 remain in cold shutdown.
IAEA director-general Rafael Grossi reiterated the importance of IAEA experts being granted access to all areas of the Zaporizhzhia to monitor full compliance with the agency’s principles of safety and security.
During recent site checks, an IAEA team saw military trucks in the turbine hall of Unit 1, but they did not see any mines or explosives other than those reported in July when they saw directional anti-personnel mines on the periphery of the site.
Zaporizhzhia is near the frontline of fighting in southern Ukraine. It has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022.