Russians impede switching Zaporizhzhia NPP Unit 5 to safe cold shutdown mode

"It was decided to cool down the fifth reactor of ZNPP in order to carry out repair work on the power unit, which is possible only in a cold shutdown mode," the IAEA said.

This happened three days after the Russians switched the fourth power unit from cold to hot mode. According to the IAEA, steam from the fourth power unit is used to process wastewater at the plant. The agency also notes that other reactors are in cold shutdown mode.

The organisation's experts suggested that the Russians install an external steam boiler at ZNPP to put all the nuclear power units in cold shutdown mode.

The IAEA staff who visited Unit No. 5 found that all equipment was allegedly in good condition.

The organisation's experts did not find any mines or explosives inside the power unit. However, there are mines around the perimeter of the nuclear power plant.

However, the Russian military does not allow IAEA experts to access the roofs of the power units, where, according to Ukrainian intelligence, there may be explosives.