Vienna, Aug 27 (Agency) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said on Monday that he will head an IAEA mission to the Kursk nuclear power plant (NPP) on August 27 “given the serious situation.” “Given the serious situation, I am personally leading the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in the Russian Federation. The safety and security of all nuclear power plants is of central and fundamental concern to the IAEA,” Grossi said in a statement. The IAEA intends to independently assess the recent developments at the Kursk NPP, as well as to give “an independent assessment of the safety and security of a nuclear facility,” Grossi said. “There are new developments and increased levels of military activity in the vicinity of the KNPP, I have been closely following developments on the ground, especially with respect to the plant. It is important that when the Agency is called upon to fulfil its mandate to ensure that nuclear is used in a peaceful manner, we are present,” the statement read.
The IAEA chief reiterated that “the safety and security of nuclear facilities must, under no circumstances, be endangered,” adding that it is important to respect “the seven indispensable pillars of nuclear safety during an armed conflict and the five concrete principles – established to protect the Zaporizhzhya NPP.” “This is an evolving situation, and it is vital when I arrive at the plant tomorrow that I see first-hand the situation and discuss modalities for further activities as may be needed to evaluate the nuclear safety and security conditions of the KNPP,” Grossi said.