UN atomic watchdog chief visits defunct Chernobyl plant to ‘prevent nuclear accident’ at Ukraine facility seized by Russia

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi Grossi visited the Chernobyl site ‘to help prevent the danger of a nuclear accident’

Russian forces seized control of the defunct nuclear power plant – where radioactive waste is still stored – on February 24, the first day of the invasion

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The UN nuclear watchdog says its director-general has arrived in Ukraine for talks with senior government officials on delivering “urgent technical assistance” to ensure the safety of the country’s nuclear facilities. Photo/IAEA

Published: 6:50pm, 30 Mar 2022Updated: 8:47pm, 30 Mar 2022

UN atomic watchdog chief Rafael Grossi visited a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine on Wednesday on his first trip to the country since Russia’s invasion raised fears of a nuclear accident.

He has repeatedly warned of the dangers of the conflict – the first in a country with a vast nuclear estate.

Russian forces seized control of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant site – where radioactive waste is still stored – on February 24, the first day of the invasion.

The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Pripyat, Ukraine. Photo: EPA-EFE/Russian Defence Ministry handout

They also captured Europe’s largest nuclear plant at Zaporizhzhia on March 4, sparking alarm when shelling caused a fire at a training facility.

“I’m at South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant to meet Ukrainian government officials and staff, and start IAEA technical assistance for safety and security of country’s nuclear facilities,” the International Atomic Energy Agency head wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

“Vital to be on the ground to provide effective support to in these extremely difficult times.”

Grossi also thanked the staff of the plant near the town of Yuzhnoukrainsk for “their endurance and resilience”.