The "Big Seven" countries demand that Russia immediately return control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP and other nuclear facilities on Ukrainian territory to Ukraine. They emphasize that the stationʼs Ukrainian staff must work without pressure and threats.
This is stated in the G7 statement published on the website of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We demand that Russia immediately return to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine, full control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as well as over all nuclear facilities within Ukraineʼs internationally recognized borders to ensure their safe and reliable operation," the statement said.
The G7 countries emphasize that the actions of the Russian army pose a serious danger to nuclear facilities, increase the risk of a nuclear accident, and also pose a threat to the civilian population. In addition, they undermine the IAEAʼs ability to monitor nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
"IAEA personnel must have the possibility of safe and unhindered access to all nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as well as directly and unhindered interaction with Ukrainian personnel responsible for the operation of these facilities. The safety of all persons carrying out these efforts must be ensured to strengthen nuclear security, physical security and guarantees in Ukraine," they emphisized.
- On August 3, the Director General of the IAEA, Raphael Grossi, stated that all nuclear safety measures were violated at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP — it was completely out of the organizationʼs control. On August 5, Russian troops shelled the industrial site of the Zaporizhzhia NPP — they hit the high-voltage communication line of an autotransformer. After that, the station was hit by rocket systems of salvo fire. Due to this, the power unit was disconnected at the station. The nitrogen-oxygen station and the combined auxiliary building were seriously damaged. There was a risk of hydrogen leakage and sputtering of radioactive substances.
- Citing sources, The Insider writes that the Russians are mining the station — the occupiers store mines and ammunition in the immediate vicinity of the power units and under the overpasses.
- On August 6, the Russians again bombarded the nuclear power plant — the rockets hit near the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel. Radiation monitoring sensors failed, and one station employee was injured. On August 9, the president of "Energoatom" Petro Kotin announced that "Rosatom" handed over to the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP a plan to reconnect the plant to the annexed Crimea, which threatens with a catastrophe.