Following the reported threats of attacks and shelling by Russian forces around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is determined to push through with the inspection despite foreseen “increased military activity” in the area.
“There has been increased military activity, including this morning,” said IAEA chief Rafael Grossi. “But weighing the pros and cons and having come so far we are not stopping.”
Earlier in August 2022, Ukraine’s state nuclear power generator Energoatom reported rockets were fired at the city of Enerhodar by Russian forces, hitting the site of the Zaporizhzhia plant. Kyiv has been calling on the international community to increase nuclear sanctions on Moscow following the attack, as well as pressuring the invader to demilitarize the nuclear facility to dissipate alarms for a potential nuclear accident.
Ukraine is also calling out Russia to allow the IAEA convoy to visit the facility for inspection. However, Russia said it is Ukraine who’s actually blocking the visit, arguing that it is taking Europe hostage by shelling the facility.
Previously, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for support for the IAEA “to create the conditions of stabilisation of that plant.”
“Any attack to a nuclear plant is a suicidal thing. I hope that those attacks will end, and at the same time I hope that the IAEA will be able to access the plant,” Guterres said.
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