SNRIU: Safety condition at ZNPP requires independent assessment

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) proposes to conduct an independent assessment of radiation and nuclear safety at the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP).

Acting head of the SNRIU, Oleh Korikov expressed this opinion, Ukrinform reports, citing the SNRIU.

"The already difficult situation at ZNPP site is getting worse every day. It cannot go on like this. The SNRIU proposes, first, to consider an independent and transparent assessment of nuclear safety at the ZNPP site by an international expert group, without the participation of representatives of the aggressor country. Secondly, to study the possibility of an international center for nuclear safety and security assessment with headquarters in Kyiv," Korikov said.

He emphasized that the reports of the IAEA mission to ZNPP only record facts but do not provide an assessment of these facts in terms of compliance with IAEA safety standards and internationally recognized nuclear safety criteria. In addition, the international agency's experts have not yet been granted full access to key areas of the site. The work of the mission team is very limited and is influenced by the Russian occupiers.

According to Korikov, the IAEA's recent statements have been reassuring, do not fully reflect the severity of the real situation at the ZNPP site, and may form a misconception among the global nuclear community that the situation at the occupied plant is normalizing, predictable and controlled.

As reported, ZNPP has been under occupation since March 4, 2022. During this time, the Russians have repeatedly violated the principles of nuclear safety by deploying military equipment on the territory of ZNPP, mining the territory and terrorizing the plant personnel.