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Ukraine: Russian Troops Occupy Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant; Ukrainians Putting Up a Tough Fight Against Russians; IAEA Gives Update on Situation at Ukrainian Nuclear Plant. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired March 04, 2022 - 04:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[04:30:00]

ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Fears of a potential nuclear plant incident in Ukraine appears to have now been averted, at least for now. The country's nuclear operator says Russian troops have operated the Zaporizhzhia plant, administration building and checkpoint, but the facility's regular staff are working on the power unit. A fire broke out at the facility earlier, which Ukraine blamed on Russian attacks. But emergency crews later managed to put out the blaze. And Ukrainian officials told the U.S. nuclear watchdog, radiation levels remained normal. So that's good news. The nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine is Europe's largest. Ukraine's President is now slamming Russia for the attack.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): We contacted our partners, I talked to Charles Michel, Scholz, I talked to Duda, I talked to President Biden. We have contacted President Raphael Grossi, also Prime Minister Johnson. And we warned everyone that no other country other than Russian has ever fired on nuclear power units. This is the first time in our history, in the history of mankind that a terrorist state now resorted to nuclear terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Let's bring in Scott McLean live from Lviv for us. And Scott, this is terrifying. Talk us through what happened and really Putin's strategy here in taking over the plant.

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I mean, Putin's strategy honestly is anyone's guess at this point, Isa. But let me give you the play-by- play. Because the updates we were getting overnight were absolutely terrifying. We know that as early as Wednesday, Russian troops were surrounding this town of Enerhodar where the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was located. And they were trying to get in. Local residents though were trying to block them however they could. Things deteriorated further yesterday, and then early this morning. The Ukrainian foreign minister was tweeting that Russian troops were firing at the plant from all sides.

By this point, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that staff inside the plant were trying to mitigate any potential risks. Obviously, there were plenty. A fire broke out at some point after that and the mayor said that firefighters were unable to actually get to the site, because of the fighting there. And he was warning about the potential for a nuclear accident. About six hours ago, the mayor confirmed that firefighters had actually reached the site, with 40 men and ten trucks. It took them about an hour to put out the blaze.

It turns out the fire itself was actually in an auxiliary building separate from the actual reactor itself, which had been used for training. The trouble now is that the Ukrainians have confirmed that the Russians are in charge of that site or in control of that site. They're controlling a checkpoint and an administration building, as well. Thankfully, the folk who is actually know how to operate the site, the staff, are still running it right now. There are four reactors that are being cooled down. We know at the moment, one is out of order because of the fire at that auxiliary building nearby. And then one continues to still provide power -- Isa.

SOARES: Incredibly brave, as well. Firefighters really trying to control the fire, as this assault was ongoing. Scott McLean, appreciate it. Thank you very much, Scott. Stay safe.

A new video shows the horrifying aftermath of Russian strike north of Kyiv. Officials say an apartment building in the city of Chernihiv was hit Thursday, leaving at least 33 people dead and 18 wounded. We are warning you, the footage you're about to see is graphic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(VIDEO SHOWS AFTERMATH OF RUSSIAN STRIKE IN CHERNIHV)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Horrifying. Local officials tell us there are no military facilities near that apartment complex. Meanwhile, in southern Ukraine, Russian troops are gaining ground. Our Jim Sciutto has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Russian forces on the march, closing in on cities in southern Ukraine. The mayor of Kherson says his city is now under Russian control. Ukrainian forces have left though a senior U.S. defense official says there is still fighting there.

Russian forces have also surrounded the city of Mariupol as the deputy mayor tells CNN it has lost water and power.

DEPUTY MAYOR SERGEI ORLOV, MARIUPOL, UKRAINE: We have continuous shell and for 26 hours. 26 hours they are destroying our city.

SCIUTTO: In the north the U.S. says Russian forces are making slower but still devastating progress ...

[04:35:00]

SOARES: The director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency is speaking now. Let's listen in.

RAFAEL GROSSI, IAEA DIRECTOR GENERAL: ... she and her team have been working the whole night, given the circumstances in Ukraine. Which I would summarize as follows. I am conscience that you may be in position of some of the information or all of the information I'm going to share with you.

What I can tell you is that what we are telling you is confirmed information that is coming straight from the Ukrainian regulator or straight from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where we have contacts at the moment and permanently through the night.

So, as you have been informed, overnight, a projectile hit a building within the plant site, within the site of plant. This building, I should repeat, is not part of the reactor, is none of the reactors, is a training adjacent construction facility to the reactors.

These caused a localized fire which was extinguished by the local fire brigade in -- at the plant. At the plant. So, it's important to say that all the safety systems of the six reactors at the plant were not affected at all. And that there has been no release of radioactive material. No release of radioactive material.

Importantly, in this regard is the radiation monitoring system, so the systems we have to measure, the radiation are fully functional as well. However, as you can imagine, the operator and the regulator have been telling us that the situation is naturally, continues to be extremely tense and challenging because of the circumstances.

Of the plant reactors units, one must say that of all the units that we have there, there is only one that is operating at around 60 percent of its capacity. Unit-1 was in outage for maintenance. Units-2 and -3 are in safety-controlled shutdown. Unit-4 is the one that is still operating at 60 percent. And units five and six were already being held in reserve and they are operating normally in low-power mode.

I must indicate that two people have been injured. These people, according to the information we have, are not operators or technical people and they are part of the security personnel around the plant.

So, these are the facts. We continue to be in contact with the operators. And following the situation, of course, very, very closely.

Let me now address how we are address how we are addressing this, what are the next steps that we are planning. What is possible in the circumstances. As you know because we saw each other a couple of days ago, we had a special session of the board of governors here. And at that session of the board, I indicated apart from the general exultations and reminders of the importance of the general principles of never attacking a nuclear facility and other important conceptual element.

[04:40:00]

I reminded member states of a number of very clear points that must never be compromised. If one is to ensure safety and security at any nuclear facility, be it a reactor or any other facility. And the first one of this is the physical integrity, the physical integrity of the facilities. Whether it is a reactor, as I said, a fuel pump, radioactive waste, storage, everything.

The second point that I mentioned to the border was that all safety and security systems at these places must be maintained and operational.

The third point I indicated was that staff needed to be able to fulfill their activities normally.

The fourth is that there should be at all times, at all times off-site power, electricity, so that the facility is able to continue running normally. I also referred to the supply chain that must be always available, in case there's a need, spare parts, or things that are perhaps needed for repairs.

I also referred as six points to the radiation monitoring systems that are also required so that we have an idea of what's going on from the perspective of the possible presence of radioactivity.

And finally, communication. Communication, which is so important, as you have seen throughout this night. Without it, we would not be able to confirm the things that we are telling you. Well, everybody agrees, everybody agrees, not without any exception, no country disagrees that these principles must be maintained.

However, the first of this, the physical integrity of the plant has been compromised with what happened last night. So, we, of course, are fortunate that there was no release of radiation and that the integrity of the reactors in themselves was not compromised. But, yes, the plant, in a wider sense.

But it is obvious that when we all agree on these principles, words must mean something. And we have to act in consequence. So, for us, the IAEA, it is time for action. We need to do something about this. As I also referred to you, I believe, Ukraine sent a request for immediate assistance to us.

So, bearing in mind what's happening and the risks that we may all incur if this continue s without an enhancement and without recommitment to these principles, I have indicated to both the Russian Federation and the Ukraine, my ability and disposition to travel to Chernobyl as soon as possible so that this seven crucial pillars are never-again compromised.

The idea behind this initiative of mine, as Director General of the IAEA is to agree on a framework and on a compromise that would commit to not compromise these principles that we all subscribe and agree to. We all know that given the very complicated circumstances on the ground, the logistics for such a trip, my presence in this place are not going to be easy and would not be easy. But at the same time, I believe they wouldn't be -- they wouldn't be impossible.

If we are to extend assistance, we have to be there. And the first to be there must be the head of the IAEA. I want to make clear one point. This initiative of mine has nothing to do with the political aspects of this crisis.

[04:45:00]

This is not my mandate. I am not the Security Council of the United Nations. I am not the Secretary General of the United Nations. I am not a self-appointed mediator. It has nothing to do with that. I want to be extremely clear about this. What we are talking about here is a framework under the aegis of the IAEA, whereby Ukraine and the forces that are present there in the context of this military operation, of the Russian Federation can agree to a commitment to not to compromise these principles that I have mentioned.

So, as I said, the facts are this. The request for assistance has been made to us. We are not ignoring it. I am ready to come. I stop here and I take your questions. Thank you very much.

JONATHAN TYRONE, BLOOMBERG NEWS: Thanks DG Grossi. Jonathan Tyrone of Bloomberg news. Can you please just clarify who specifically you're in touch with on the Russian side? You said you're in touch with Ukraine and the regulator. And can you please clarify, do we know right now whether the control room itself at that nuclear power plant is in possession of Russian forces, or does the utility continue to have control of the room?

GROSSI: Yes, of course. As I mentioned, I am touch with Russia and also of course Ukraine. Ukraine is any natural counterpart in this, I should always emphasize, because we are talking about Ukraine. And they are our counterparts. However, we know, and this is no secret, there's a military operation and there are Russian forces there.

Of course, we do have a number of contacts when it comes to the Russian Federation, at diplomatic level and at technical level, as well. So, this is the first part.

The second part is regarding the operation of the -- you're talking about the control room and things like that. Here, I should emphasize that for the time being, it is purely Ukrainian staff running the operations there. What we have in this case, as we speak, this morning at quarter to 11, what we have is in Chernobyl and in Dubrovytsia we have effective control of the site in the hands of Russian military forces. I hope the distinction is clear.

ALBERT OTTI, DPA GERMAN PRESS AGENCY: Good morning, Albert Otti, DPA German press agency. Just to clarify, you said you're talking -- you're proposing a framework to basically guarantee that the safety of the nuclear installations from both sides. What does -- how does a trip to Chernobyl contribute to this? Do you plan to negotiate in Chernobyl? I'm not quite sure?

GROSSI: We're going to be sharing some elements with both sites. And we are going to try to agree on that. It's part of the consultations we need to have.

OTTI: That's the plan to negotiate there? GROSSI: Yes.

OTTI: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Any other questions?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Just to follow up on that statement, who do you envision as your contact for us that nobody, foreign minister. So, do you want the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine to go there?

GROSSI: I'm talking, of course, I'm talking with the political authorities of the countries and this is also something that we are -- we have to know this is an unprecedented situation. Normally, in diplomatic practice, one easy way out is to refer to precedent. It was done in this way last time this happened, so this establishes some sort of practice or tradition.

Unfortunately, here, we are in completely uncharted waters, but what animates this initiative is the need to act into heed this call for assistance. Bearing in mind the realities on the ground.

[04:50:00]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks, Lawrence (INAUDIBLE). A couple of questions. I'll keep it to a couple of questions. Do you know who was responsible for the projectile that hit the site? Was it Ukrainian forces as the Russians are claiming or was it the Russians? And what have the Russians said to you about the about sending a team there for assistance and what have they said about your idea for a trip? Yes, or no?

GROSSI: Thank you very much. What we understand is that this projectile is a projectile that is coming from the Russian forces and we do not have details about what kind of projectile this is. It could be many different things. This is what we understand, being the situation. And what they, in terms of saying yes or no, both sides are considering it.

FRANCOIS MURPHY, REUTERS: Francois Murphy from Reuters over here.

GROSSI: Yes, I'm sorry.

MURPHY: Of course. Two questions then. What happens now, just particularly at Zaporizhzhia. You say the Ukrainians are in control of the control room and of operations, but they're surrounded by the Russian military, so what do you expect to happen here? Are things supposed to stay frozen as they are, source of bit like a Chernobyl or do you imagine something else? And what direction are things heading in? And then also, I just want to follow up on what Albert was saying. If you don't have agreement for a meeting, why are you specifically suggesting a meeting at Chernobyl? I mean, you could meet these people anywhere. So, why is this so clear in your mind?

GROSSI: Well, there are a number of technical characteristics that make it advisable to do it there, to have a better idea. And also, to be more effective in diplomatic terms. It's very important to be there. Of course, at the end of the day, there might be many different formats, if you want.

What we want to indicate here is the disposition of the IAEA to move, to do something about what is going on and not simply tweet or say things from Vienna. We are ready to move. And in terms of the -- I think one thing is connected with the other. What we have is a situation which is very difficult to sustain. And what has happened tonight or last night is proof of that. I have been saying for a few days now, I am extremely concerned. This is something which is very, very fragile. Very unstable as a situation.

And now we have seen that because of this impact of a projectile, we don't know how to tap in, which is impossible, unless you have a forensic team there to determine the circumstances, and this is going to be impossible. You had the kind of situation that we had overnight, which could have been dramatic. So, I think that we should not wait for something like this to happen before trying to address it in a more efficient way, since we know what is at risk.

MURPHY: And so, just to follow up. You were describing the situation overnight and you say you're in regular contact with people at the plant. So, what is happening right now? Obviously, we had this projectile hit. And there was some --

GROSSI: Right now, we have this normal abnormality, if I can put it like that. The other day in my statement, I was saying, normal operations, but in fact, there is nothing normal about this. Yes, they are running the plants and I paid homage the other day to their bravery, to their courage, to their resilience, because they're doing this in very difficult circumstances. Now we see this happening. For how long can this continue?

[04:55:00]

So, I think it is our duty as an international organization with an important mandate to do safety and security, to do it also when the going gets rough.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, this is Jordy (INAUDIBLE). We're talking about here about Chernobyl and this one big site. Do we have any information about the other nuclear plants --

SOARES: You have been listening there to Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA on the situation in Ukraine of the Zaporizhzhia power nuclear plant. Russia bombarded Europe's largest nuclear power plant sparking a fire which has now been extinguished.

Let me tell you what Grossi said. He said the Russian projectiles hit a building within the plant's site, but the building is not part of the reactor, but a construction facility. Now the projectile caused a localized fire, which was then extinguished.

All the safety systems, he says, of the six reactors were not affected and no release of radioactive material either. He said two people were injured, they were not operators, but part of the security personnel.

Now Grossi went on to say that the Ukrainian staff are running the operations, but Russians are running the site. He added the situation there is very difficult to sustain and unstable, as well as challenging. Those are all his words. So, he's offering really to travel to Ukraine, to try and contain the situation, create a framework of compromise, he said, to try and figure out the logistics. We'll stay on top of this breaking news for you.

And that does it here for me on "CNN NEWSROOM." I'm Isa Soares in London. I'll leave you now with "NEW DAY" with Brianna Keilar and John Berman.

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