The Head Of The IAEA Warns That War In Ukraine Remains A Main Risk Of Nuclear Safety

Rafael Grossi (blue vest) while leading the IAEA inspection team to PLTN Zaporizhia. (Twitter/@rafaelmgrossi)

JAKARTA - Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi warned in a routine session of the Board of Governors of the IAEA, fighting in Ukraine poses a major risk to global nuclear safety.

"Currently, the biggest risk to nuclear safety remains a war in Ukraine. Just because an accident hasn't happened yet, that doesn't mean it's impossible," Grossi said, launching TASS November 19.

"In fact, the risk is increasing along with the increasing military conflict," Grossi continued.

Furthermore, the Head of the IAEA also emphasized the importance of finding long-term solutions to cool the water used at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN).

"It is very important to prevent nuclear accidents at PLTN Zaporizhia. Meanwhile, although the six reactors are still in a state of termination of cold operation, long-term solutions to cool water at PLTN Zaporizhia need to be found," the IAEA head warned.

It is known that Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly blamed each other for attacking each other around PLTN Zaporizhia.

At the IAEA conference in Vienna in September, Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev said the only real threat to PLTN Zaporizhia and its employees was the reckless action of the Ukrainian armed forces.