The situation at the Zaporozhye NPP may change for the better due to the presence of specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, this will directly depend on the powers of their mission.
If there is no permanent international control over the station, Russia may hold the IAEA mission as hostages. Channel 24 was told by the Russian human rights activist and opposition politician Mark Feygin.
“Symbolic” status of the mission
The human rights activist noted that today the powers of the IAEA mission are not exactly known, and what the Russian occupiers will allow them to do on the territory of the station.
Something may change. Because the presence of international inspectors, if they are not considered hostages, will most likely soften the situation with shelling. Like, they arrived and the Ukrainian side stopped firing. But the question arises: what powers do these inspectors have? Feigin explained.
At the same time, he considers it rhetorical the question of whether the IAEA mission will be able to prevent the theft of electricity in favor of Russia or determine whose ZNPP they consider.
“Despite the futility of this mission, the threat of a nuclear catastrophe is reduced. it can back down – not because the IAEA mission has arrived. This can be used as a means of blackmail, but bring everything to the second Chernobyl – they will avoid this, “the oppositionist stressed.
What new nuclear threats will use the Kremlin: watch the video
Why Europe “doesn't turn on”
Feigin stated that European leaders never like to plan anything for the future, therefore they refuse to make harsh statements about Zaporozhye NPP.
“It’s not customary for them to go that far. This is both bad and good at the same time. Because Russia insisted on a ceasefire in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, after which everyone will remain in their places. To which Ukraine explained its position in ten different ways,” – he added.
In his opinion, in this situation, it is more important to observe the reaction of the West to such proposals by the Kremlin.
“Please note that Western leaders do not promote this position of Moscow, it does not Macron. That's good. But, on the other hand, getting involved in this story in order to take responsibility – they tried to take responsibility for Azovstal and Mariupol – remember?”, the human rights activist said.
According to him, this topic was actively promoted by UN Secretary General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron.
It all ended with an explosion in Yelenovka. I think that they have drawn conclusions and take responsibility so hard – God forbid. Guterres has nowhere to go, but in relation to Western leaders, they will be careful,” Feygin summed up.
Russian provocations at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant: what is known
- In the spring, the invaders seized the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant . Russian invaders turned it into a military base.
- the occupiers repeatedly fired at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, and also mined it. the Russians cynically threatened to blow up the plant if Ukraine regained control of it.
- On August 25, the actions of the Russian invaders resulted in the first ever total shutdown of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Despite the provocation of the enemy, the level of radiation in Energodar is still normal.
- The next day Zaporozhye NPP was connected to the power grid. The Zaporizhzhia NPP has started operating and is producing electricity for the needs of Ukraine.
- Specialists of the International Atomic Energy Agency visited the Zaporizhzhya power plant on 1 September. Rafael Grossi said that the Russian military were at the ZNPP. The IAEA director general explained that he wanted to ask the Russians why they were in the block control room. However, the IAEA representatives were not allowed to talk to the Russian military representatives.
- After his visit to the ZNPP, Rafael Grossi said that it was important that the IAEA representatives stay at the Zaporozhye NPP. We are talking about the stay of 2 specialists on a permanent basis.
- Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President Mikhail Podolyak described the long-awaited visit of the IAEA mission as “strange” . In particular, he was surprised that IAEA representatives looked at weapons and military equipment during their visit to the ZNPP, but did not make any statements on this matter.
- IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi will report to the UN Security Council on the visit of the agency mission to the Zaporozhye NPP.
