Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

IAEA chief to lead mission to Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after Kakhovka dam demolition

by Martin Fornusek June 6, 2023 11:52 PM 1 min read
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi (C) talks to the press with Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko (L) and the Head of Ukraine's Energoatom Petro Kotin on a road outside Zaporizhzhia, on Sept. 1, 2022. (Photo by Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, will lead an IAEA mission to the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after the Kakhovka dam demolition.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's biggest nuclear power plant, relies on water from the Kakhovka Reservoir to provide power for its turbine condensers, according to the Ukrainian state nuclear energy agency Energoatom.

Grossi announced his decision on social media after a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 6.

"After concerning developments following the destruction of the Kahkovka HPP dam, I will be leading the next rotation of our IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhia NPP (ISAMZ) next week with a reinforced team. A crucial moment for nuclear safety," IAEA's director wrote on Twitter.

Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka dam on the morning of June 6, sparking a humanitarian and environmental disaster across southern Ukraine.

The breach caused the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir, expected to be completely emptied out in two to four days.

The IAEA warned earlier in May that the situation at the plant is growing more dangerous due to frequent bombings nearby.

IAEA: ‘No immediate risk’ to nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported on June 6 that it was closely monitoring the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant after Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam, adding that there is “no immediate nuclear safety risk at the plant.”

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

11:51 PM

Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks.

"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
5:10 PM

All territory will revert to Ukraine, predicts US diplomat.

The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sits down with Michael Carpenter, former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE and senior director for Europe at the National Security Council, to discuss the current lagging U.S. military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing ceasefire talks with Russia. Carpenter also offers his predictions for the future of Ukraine’s occupied territories.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.