The diplomatic efforts to return Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) to Ukrainian control have thus far been unsuccessful, stated Minister of Energy of Ukraine Herman Halushchenko during a United News telethon.
- First, the plant’s demilitarization
- Second, the withdrawal of Rosatom personnel from ZNPP
- Third, Ukrainian personnel must be able to operate the nuclear facility without being subjected to pressure
“However, in response, we received a null and void decree from Putin stating that ZNPP is ‘federal’ property, along with the registration of a company named Zaporizhzhia Station in Moscow,” Herman Halushchenko explained.
The minister stated that Ukraine receives alarming signals from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission at ZNPP. In particular, the Russians are acting in a highly unprofessional manner.
“The IAEA mission confirms that the Russians are operating the plant in such a way that the condition of its equipment and facilities is deteriorating dramatically. We [Ukraine-ed.] suspect that one of the invaders’ goals is to render it inoperable after de-occupation,” said Halushchenko.
It is important to remind ZNPP, which has been operational for a year, has experienced five total blackouts. During the blackouts, diesel generators were connected to power the reactor zones, spent fuel pools (SFP), and spent fuel sites.
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