IAEA Director General's Statement on Ukraine Crisis
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported the presence of directional anti-personnel mines on the outskirts of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The mines were found in a restricted area controlled by the military and facing away from the site, but their presence is inconsistent with IAEA safety standards. The IAEA team has been conducting inspections and walkdowns at the ZNPP, requesting access to various areas of interest. The plant experienced a temporary power failure but assured that it did not affect nuclear safety. The plant is transitioning reactor units from cold to hot shutdown, with unit 4 expected to reach hot shutdown status on July 25. The IAEA is closely monitoring the availability of water for cooling the reactors following the destruction of the downstream dam. New IAEA teams have arrived at other nuclear sites in Ukraine, and an IAEA Support and Assistance Mission has been launched to assess radiation safety and nuclear security regarding radioactive sources in the country.