Once again a connection between NPP Zaporizhia and the International Atomic Energy Agency

According to Ukrainian information, the International Atomic Energy Agency has restored contact with the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia. Yesterday, the Ukrainian Atomic Energy Agency Energoatom announced that communication between the data servers in Zaporizhia and the International Atomic Energy Agency has been “restored”. The International Atomic Energy Agency later confirmed the information on Twitter.

Thanks to the “joint efforts” of Energoatom and mobile operator Vodafone, it was possible to restore the data transmission. Vodafone entered into a contract with the International Atomic Energy Agency for the transmission of data from Zaporizhia.

Energoatom said that since the end of May, all data has been stored on secure servers and immediately transmitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency after connectivity is restored.

Occupied by the Russians since March

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the call was restored “after a technical outage that lasted nearly two weeks.” “Long-distance transportation does not replace the regular physical presence of IAEA inspectors at power stations to inspect nuclear materials,” said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. He wanted to “continue his efforts” to send an inspection team to Zaporizhia as soon as possible.

Russian forces have occupied the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant since early March, and taken control of it a few days after they began their invasion of Ukraine. In 2021, the power plant contributed about a fifth of electricity production in Ukraine.

Grossi has already described the situation there as “unsustainable”. For example, important maintenance work at a nuclear power plant is constantly delayed and essential equipment is not delivered, resulting in an increased risk of accidents.