IAEA chief to inspect Kursk nuclear plant amid increased military activity

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has announced that he is personally leading a mission to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in the Russian Federation. 

This decision comes in response to escalating military activity near the plant, which has raised concerns over the safety and security of the facility, Caliber.Az reports, citing the IAEA website.

"The safety and security of all nuclear power plants is of central and fundamental concern to the IAEA," Grossi stated, highlighting the importance of the Agency’s role in monitoring nuclear facilities to ensure their safe and peaceful use.

Grossi emphasized that the IAEA’s presence is crucial, especially when there is a need for an independent assessment of a nuclear facility's safety and security.

"The only way in which the IAEA can validate the information is when we have an opportunity to independently assess what is happening," he added.

The Director General also underscored the importance of the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety during armed conflict, along with the five concrete principles initially established to protect the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, which are applicable to all nuclear facilities. 

"I reiterate that the safety and security of nuclear facilities must, under no circumstances, be endangered," Grossi stated.

He emphasized the need for these principles to be respected to maintain nuclear safety and security during conflict.

Grossi plans to arrive at the Kursk plant tomorrow to assess the situation firsthand and discuss potential future activities to evaluate the nuclear safety and security conditions at the KNPP. 

The IAEA's mission to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant underscores the international community's commitment to nuclear safety amid rising regional tensions.