Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, is the first time a military confrontation has occurred near the facilities of a big and well-established nuclear power plant.
In an opening remark to the 35-nation Board of Governors, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated, "The situation in Ukraine is exceptional, and I continue to be deeply worried."
"Under no circumstances should the safety and security of nuclear facilities, as well as nuclear and other hazardous material, in Ukraine be jeopardized."
On Wednesday, the United Nations' nuclear inspector cautioned that Russia's assault on Ukraine is increasing the danger of nuclear mishaps, urging moderation in all acts that may compromise Ukraine's nuclear facilities' safe functioning.
It comes as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict enters its seventh day, with combat raging across the nation.
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is the first time a military conflict has erupted near the facilities of a large and established nuclear power program, which in this case includes the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was the site of the world's worst nuclear disaster in 1986.
In an opening remark to the 35-nation Board of Governors, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated, "The situation in Ukraine is exceptional, and I continue to be deeply worried."
"Under no circumstances should the safety and security of nuclear facilities, as well as nuclear and other hazardous material, in Ukraine be jeopardized."
Grossi reiterated his plea for caution in any actions that may jeopardize the security of nuclear and other radioactive materials, saying that "any such occurrence could have serious effects, exacerbating human misery and harming the environment."
The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Ukraine's four nuclear power plants were operating normally, but stressed that the extraordinary circumstances in which those working at the plants were managing to keep the reactors that produce half of Ukraine's electricity operational were "nothing normal."
Russia told the IAEA on Tuesday that its soldiers had taken control of the land surrounding Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, according to Grossi.
The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, located in Ukraine's southeast, is the country's biggest and contains six of the country's 15 operating nuclear power reactors.
After Russian soldiers took the region last week, Ukraine's nuclear agency stated that radiation levels at the defunct Chornobyl nuclear power station had exceeded regulatory limits. This was assumed to be owing to the disturbance of the soil caused by the movement of a large number of heavy military vehicles.
According to Grossi, the IAEA judged that radiation levels at the site were still low enough to pose no risk to the public.
"A nuclear disaster can have far-reaching consequences beyond the borders of the country in which it happens, and the international community relies on the IAEA to keep it informed with accurate and timely information," Grossi added.
As a result, the IAEA's ability to communicate with Ukraine's regulator regarding the country's nuclear security was critical, according to Grossi.
"This is especially important during a war, which increases the danger of nuclear mishaps and makes response more difficult."
Severe potential consequences
The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine told the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Sunday that Russian missiles had targeted a radioactive waste disposal plant in Kyiv's capital city. According to Grossi, there were no reports of building damage or indicators of a radioactive discharge.
Grossi added, adding that the event happened one day after Ukraine's regulator claimed an electrical transformer at a similar disposal plant near the northern city of Kharkiv had been destroyed, and that there were no indicators of radioactive emission.
"The two occurrences underline the likelihood that facilities containing radioactive material would be damaged during the armed conflict, perhaps resulting in serious repercussions," Grossi added.
The IAEA has urged all member states, including Russia, to respect international law and abide by a 2009 resolution that states that "any armed attack on or threat against nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes constitutes a violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Agency's Statute."
"Let me finish by stating this: the best measure to preserve the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear facilities and its people would be for this armed conflict to cease immediately," Grossi said in his opening presentation to the IAEA Board of Governors.
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