The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel were not granted access to the pressurized enclosures within the reactor area of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant because those shells are normally sealed and entry is tightly controlled. This is the account provided to RBC Advisor, the General Manager of Rosenergoatom, Renat Karchaa, regarding the plant’s current access regime and safety practices.
Each unit at Zaporizhzhia NPP comprises a reactor section and a turbine section. Inside the reactor compartment, highly radioactive equipment essential to the conversion of thermal energy sits in a space whose access is deliberately restricted to protect workers and the public. Karchaa stressed that the configuration of the facility creates a strict boundary around the reactor area, with access limited to authorized personnel only when justified by safety, regulatory, or emergency needs.
He pointed out that IAEA personnel were granted regular leave during the period when dam-related work was ongoing and the reactor portion was being adjusted accordingly. This detail underscores the careful balance the plant maintains between international oversight and operational safety, especially in times of structural or infrastructural work in the surrounding site.
According to Karchaa, nuclear and radiation safety remains the highest priority for Zaporizhzhia NPP. He noted that the plant’s operations are conducted in full compliance with the laws of the Russian Federation, reflecting the current governance framework for the facility and its staff at this stage of its operation.
He added that, to date, all six diesel generators (MGs) at the Zaporizhzhia NPP have been sealed after IAEA inspectors verified the nuclear materials in line with applicable regulatory documents. In the sealed mode, access by civil defense personnel is prohibited, and entry is permitted only on clear grounds and in emergency situations. This approach reinforces the plant’s commitment to maintaining a highly controlled environment to ensure safety and security while permitting essential operations to continue under stringent oversight.
Late December saw IAEA announcements highlighting the successful completion of warranty checks at Ukrainian nuclear power plants, reflecting ongoing international oversight and verification of safety measures across facilities in the region. These checks contribute to transparency about how reactor and safety systems are managed under the current operational and regulatory framework.
Earlier assessments and disclosures in Ukraine highlighted the potential consequences of accidental explosions at the Zaporizhzhia plant, emphasizing the critical importance of robust safety protocols, rigorous access control, and continuous monitoring by international bodies to mitigate risks and safeguard neighboring communities and environments.