The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported finding anti-personnel mines within the buffer zone of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. This discovery marks the second consecutive month of violating safety procedures at the facility, which is Europe’s largest nuclear plant and was seized during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have led to accusations of shelling around the nuclear plant, prompting the IAEA to set up safety measures to prevent accidents. Rafael Grossi, the IAEA’s director general, expressed concern over the presence of explosives in the buffer zone, emphasizing that it goes against IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance, placing additional psychological pressure on the plant’s staff.
Despite the mines not posing an immediate risk to the plant’s security, they remain in areas inaccessible to staff, and it has been claimed that their presence is a military decision. Efforts to establish a safety regime between Russian and Ukrainian authorities have not yet reached an agreement.