Ukraine, United States discuss escalation at Zaporizhzhia NPP

The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“An escalation in the situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP, seized by Russian troops, was raised at a meeting between Ukrainian State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate Acting Chairman - Chief State Inspector for Nuclear and Radiation Safety of Ukraine Oleh Korikov and Deputy Chief of Mission in the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine Christopher W. Smith, which took place on August 9, 2022,” the report states.

In particular, Korikov told the U.S. representative about all nuclear and radiation safety risks at Zaporizhzhia NPP, caused by Russia’s shelling of power transmission lines, the areas close to spent fuel dry storage casks, nitrogen-oxygen plant, and the deployment of Russian military equipment in the engine rooms of power units, potential interruptions in external power supply, pressure put on the Ukrainian personnel of the plant, etc.

The parties agreed that, under such challenging conditions, it is important for Ukraine to retake control over Zaporizhzhia NPP and minimize nuclear and radiation safety risks.

According to the parties, a transitional solution could be to establish control over Zaporizhzhia NPP by the international mission, involving the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international organizations.

Smith assured the Ukrainian side that the United States will continue to be a reliable partner of Ukraine and will support the country both in terms of resolving the situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP and fighting against the Russian armed invasion.

A reminder that Russian troops seized Zaporizhzhia NPP on the night of March 4, 2022. Since then, Russian invaders have been deploying military equipment and ammunition within the site of Zaporizhzhia NPP.

On August 5-6, 2022, the Russian military opened fire on Zaporizhzhia NPP’s infrastructure. Russian projectiles hit close to spent fuel dry storage casks. A total of 174 casks are kept there, and each of them contains 24 spent fuel assemblies.

Photo: snriu.gov.ua

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