The Russians once again did not allow IAEA experts into the reactor hall of the ZNPP

Also, crews cannot access parts of the engine room of each unit. Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) have not yet been granted access to the reactor halls of power units No. 1, 2 and 6, which hinders their ability to monitor the nuclear safety and security situation at the plant. It also violates five specific principles established by the UN Security Council, said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

After the successful rotation of IAEA experts – the fifteenth group of experts to arrive at the station since the creation of the corresponding mission to support and assist the ZNPP in September 2022 – the new team repeated the request for access to the reactor hall.

ZNPP did not give permission for such access, saying that the reactor hall was “sealed”. ZAP informed the group that it was not denying access, but instead offered the group access to the site in about a week.

In December 2023, the team was denied access to reactor halls 1, 2 and 6, marking the first time that IAEA experts were denied timely access to a reactor hall that was on cold shutdown.

Until then, all groups had access to the reactor hall of any unit in cold shutdown mode, with the station not indicating the status of the containment as “sealed”.

“These restrictions on timely expert access to the ZNPP impede the IAEA’s ability to independently and effectively assess the safety and security situation, including confirming the reported status of reactor facilities, spent fuel pools and associated protective equipment,” Grossi said.

Additionally, from 18 October 2023 crews cannot access parts of the engine room of each unit. Most recently, on Wednesday, January 10, access to the engine rooms of units #1 and #2 was again restricted.

“The nuclear safety and security situation remains very fragile, and I repeat my request for unhindered access so that the IAEA can assess the seven basic principles of nuclear safety and security and monitor compliance with five specific principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP site , in order to prevent a nuclear accident and ensure the integrity of the station,” General Director Grossi added.