KYIV, June 2 – Specialists of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) directly at Zaporizhia NPP site have not yet detected any actual actions by Russia regarding attempts to launch the power units of the plant to operate at the power level, Head of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine Oleh Korikov said.

"I will reassure our viewers and listeners a little: the IAEA, which is constantly present at the ZNPP industrial site, will soon be three years old – they do not see any actual steps, specific actions that would indicate the preparation of the ZNPP power units for operation at energy levels," he said in the program "News of Azov Region" on Radio Liberty.

As the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate's head said, Russia has turned Zaporizhia NPP site into a de facto military base, given that the potential launch of certain power units of the plant under Russian occupation is especially dangerous, and also impossible given the technical condition of the plant.

"The plant has actually been transformed into a military and repair base, a springboard for the maintenance of a military group that uses this territory to hide under the protection of the nuclear installation and nuclear materials, and to attack the opposite bank of the Dnipro River," he said.

According to Korikov, Russia currently does not provide proper maintenance and repairs of equipment, and is also unable to provide the necessary number of personnel at Zaporizhia NPP even during visits to the station by IAEA inspectors.

At the same time, he believes that the IAEA presence at the station is the basis and the first step in considering the design when international forces take control of the station at an intermediate stage and then transfer it to Ukraine.

"We can be sure that safety requirements are met only when the legitimate owner controls Zaporizhia NPP and is responsible for it. Only demilitarization, deoccupation and return of Zaporizhia NPP to the control of the Ukrainian authorities," the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate said. (om/ez)