Expert: IAEA has become “messenger” between parties to conflict
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) does not exercise effective oversight of compliance with nuclear safety standards at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as its structure is significantly influenced by the Russian Federation.
This opinion was expressed during a press conference at Ukrinform by Yuriy Sapozhnykov, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Kyiv Scientific Research and Design Institute ‘EnergoProekt’.”
According to him, the power units at the plant were not designed to withstand the impact of military equipment.
“I asked colleagues who had the relevant models of these power units to calculate the probability of damage to the core zones. Generally, the probability of damage to the core is calculated as once in a million years [of nuclear reactor operation]. And in the situation that arose at the Zaporizhzhia plant, I was informed that this probability has risen to nearly one. Well, that is, this is something that could potentially happen tomorrow,” Sapozhnykov said.
He added that Ukraine must do everything to ensure that the Zaporizhzhia NPP remains under Ukrainian ownership and create physical and legal barriers to prevent the plant from operating in the aggressor’s interest.
According to the expert, international regulation has proven ineffective in wartime conditions, as the influence of Russia and Ukraine within the IAEA’s structure is incomparable.
“Unfortunately, the IAEA has its own structure, and within that structure, the Russians have quite a significant influence. In this situation, it has turned more into a messenger, conveying information from one warring party to the other. Could other functions be established? I believe so,” he emphasized.
Oleksandr Bondar, director of the state research institute “Institute for Ecological Restoration and Development of Ukraine,” compared a potential accident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP to the 1986 tragedy.
He explained that there were 2,000 fuel assemblies at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, whereas there are 18,000 at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, so the contamination of the area could be 9 to 10 times greater. In addition, the scientist pointed to another critical target—the uranium burial sites in Zhovti Vody. If a Russian missile hits there, the contents of the burial sites could end up in the Dnipro River and contaminate vast areas.
Yuriy Andriychuk, Director of the Center for Strategic Analysis and Environmental Security, focused on the ecological disaster caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. He noted that due to the lack of water from the reservoir, seawater is beginning to displace groundwater, which will lead to soil salinization and turn the south into a desert.
The expert also discussed the enemy’s use of pipeline infrastructure.
To overcome the crisis and combat disinformation, the experts proposed the idea of creating a “situation information room” based at a scientific institute under the auspices of military organizations.
Such a center should provide objective information on pollution levels in various areas, landmines, the consequences of oil spills, and hazardous incidents in the nuclear power industry.
Yuriy Kohut, an expert on energy security and CEO of the consulting firm Sidcon, supported the view that current safety measures are insufficient. He called for an audit of the physical security of the plants and the establishment of personal accountability for any lapses.
As reported, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution recognizing the direct consequences for nuclear safety and security caused by Russia’s systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.