Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Ukraine on Wed 3rd May 2023

Representatives of the IAEA reported the fact that Russian occupiers placed military equipment, weapons and explosives in the premises of the turbine compartment of the power unit №4 of the "Zaporizhzhya NPP". This became known during the weekly meeting on communication between the IAEA Crisis Center (IEC) and the State Atomic Regulation Authority regarding the activities of the IAEA mission at the Zaporizhzhia NPP site, which took place on May 2, 2023.

Recall that at the end of July 2022, the Russian military placed heavy military equipment with ammunition, as well as weapons and explosives in the engine room of the № 1 power unit of the ZNPP.

In early August 2022, information was received regarding the placement of military equipment in the engine room of the ZNPP power unit № 2.

The State Atomic Regulation Agency also receives information through unofficial channels regarding the storage of equipment, weapons and explosives in other production facilities of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, including repair and mechanical workshops and on the roofs of power units.

The new criminal actions of the Russian occupiers are another step that causes significant damage to the nuclear and radiation safety of nuclear installations at the industrial site of the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The inadequate decisions and actions of the Russian military endanger both the personnel of the nuclear power plant and the residents of nearby settlements.

We emphasize once again that in the event of an emergency situation at the ZNPP with a potential release of radioactive substances into the environment, not only Ukraine will feel the consequences – they will have a transboundary character.

Nuclear terrorism, which the Russian federation resorts to, is an unacceptable phenomenon in the civilized world. We call on the international community to respond to the actions of the aggressor country in a consolidated and decisive reson, and to apply tough sanctions against nuclear industry enterprises of the Russian Federation and persons affiliated with them. We emphasize that the Russian Federation should be deprived of all rights and privileges in the IAEA and other international institutions in the field of nuclear energy use.