There Are Mines In PLTN Zaporizhia, Head Of IAEA: Not In Accordance With Safety And Security Procedures

The IAEA team's visit to PLTN Zaporizhia (Wikimedia Commons/IAEA Imagebank)

JAKARTA - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it found anti-personnel mines in the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) area in Ukraine, saying it violated safety procedures.

The largest PLTN in Europe was occupied by Russian troops in the first days of the February invasion last year. The IAEA has established a security mechanism to prevent accidents, while Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of shooting at and around the plant.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi said the agency inspector stationed at the PLTN had found mines in the buffer zone between the internal and external perimeter barriers of the site, having also found mines during previous checks.

"Having such explosives on site, not in accordance with IAEA safety standards and nuclear safety guidelines, creates additional psychological pressure on installation staff," Grossi said in a statement on the agency's website.

Previously, Grossi had issued a similar warning about mines last month. On both occasions he suggested not to pose a risk to factory security.

In Monday's notes, Grossi said the agency's initial assessment was, even if they exploded, "this review shouldn't affect the nuclear safety and security systems on the site".

The mine, he said, was in an area inaccessible to staff, while inspectors were told "it was a military decision and in a military-controlled area".

Grossi has visited the plant three times since it was taken over by Russian forces, but has been unable to reach an agreement with Russian and Ukrainian authorities to establish safety protocols to prevent accidents.

Meanwhile, tensions often escalate in PLTN. Each side accused each other this month of planning an attack on PLTN.

Moscow itself said the plant would eventually connect to Russia's power grid. However, none of the six reactors have been powered but have generated electricity.