Oct. 1 () –
The mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia reported this Friday that the explosion of a landmine has damaged a low-voltage power cable of the nuclear power plant.
Specifically, the explosion has damaged a 6 kilovolt (kV) cable used to provide power for some plant operations, near a nitrogen and oxygen facility just outside the perimeter fence of the nuclear power plant, as reported by the IAEA in a statement.
Also, due to a short circuit in the cable, the explosion has indirectly damaged a voltage transformer in the number 6 reactor unit. Although there was no fire, smoke has been seen.
The agency team present that Friday at the plant has reviewed the area and has found evidence of a mine explosion, with traces of the impact visible on a cement wall.
The plant’s Ukrainian operating personnel have offered spare parts and other available materials to repair both the cable and the transformer. The repair work will not affect the availability of backup power systems, according to the IAEA.
As with the previous four landmine explosions reported by the IAEA this week, they are believed to have been caused by animals stepping on the artifacts.
The director general of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, has reiterated his “deep concern” about the repetition of this type of landmine explosions near the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, where there have been frequent bombings in the last two months.
