It seems that there is nothing wrong with the safety of the nuclear power plant… U.S., Russia fight over who is responsible at Security Council
UN Secretary-General urges establishment of ‘demilitarized zone’ around Japoriza nuclear power plant
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Ukraine’s Zaporiza nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, was bombarded again on the 11th (local time).
According to Reuters, TASS, and AFP news agency, an official of the Zaporiza provincial administration appointed by Russia on the same day asserted that “Ukrainian forces have again attacked the Zaporiza nuclear power plant and the area around the nuclear facility.”
He added that there were two attacks in one day alone.
On the other hand, Ukrainian state-owned nuclear power company Energoatom argued against the fact that the Russian military launched five attacks on the nuclear power plant that day.
Attacks were also launched around the facility where the nuclear material was stored, but control of the nuclear power plant was maintained and no injuries were reported, Energoatom said.
The bombardment took place hours before the start of an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the issue of the Japoriza nuclear power plant.
With Russia and Ukraine blaming each other for bombardment, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stressed the gravity of the matter and urged immediate permission to inspect the Zaporiza nuclear power plant.
IAEA Secretary-General Rafael Grossi, who attended the Security Council meeting by video, said: “This is a critical time and the IAEA should be allowed to carry out its mission on Zaporiza as soon as possible.”
He stressed that “this situation could change at any time”, although preliminary assessments of experts said there was no immediate threat from artillery or other military action.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested that the area around the Zaporiza nuclear power plant complex be set up as a ‘demilitarized zone’ and managed.
In a statement, he urged both Ukraine and Russia to immediately stop military activities around the nuclear power plant, saying, “Instead, we need an urgent technical agreement on the safe boundary of demilitarization to ensure safety in the region.” said.
At the Security Council meeting that day, the United States and Russia faced a head-to-head confrontation over who was responsible for the bombing of the Zaporiza nuclear power plant.
Bonnie Jenkins, undersecretary for arms control and international security at the U.S. State Department, said: “We cannot wait any longer for the IAEA’s approach.
“The United States demands the immediate withdrawal of Russia from Ukrainian territory,” he said.
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Russia, which convened the emergency meeting of the Security Council, repeatedly insisted that the bombing of the Zaporiza nuclear power plant was the work of the Ukrainian army, and countered that Ukraine should stop the attack first.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenza, said: “We urge the supporters of the Ukrainian regime to bring in representatives who can pressure the country to immediately stop the attack on nuclear power plants to ensure the security of the IAEA mission.
“This is the only way to prevent a radioactive catastrophe in Europe,” he said.
The Zaporiza nuclear power plant complex, which has six reactors, was occupied by Russian forces in early March, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine and the war began.
At that time, the fire broke out in the buildings around the Zaporiza nuclear power plant due to the Russian bombardment, raising concerns about radioactive material leakage.
In particular, on the 5th and 6th of this month, some facilities were damaged by bombardment two days in a row, and it is known that military activities targeting the nuclear power plant will continue.
/yunhap news
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