IAEA experts from countries deemed neutral will examine facility after shelling stoked fears of catastrophe
A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency has left Kyiv for the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, in a region of Ukraine occupied by Russia, for an inspection after bombardment in the area led to fears of a catastrophe.
The IAEA mission, comprising representatives from countries deemed neutral by both sides, will inspect the plant and lend technical assistance. The visit was reportedly intended to last four days but the Russian-occupying authorities say they will be given access for one day.
Fighting in and around the nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, damaged vital electricity supplies last week prompting global concern.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the agency, who is leading the mission, said these were very complex operations.
“We are going to a war zone. We are going to occupied territory. And this requires explicit guarantees from not only from the Russians but also from the Republic of Ukraine,” Grossi said in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv before the monitoring the mission’s departure.
“We have been able to secure that … So now we are moving,” said Grossi of the security guarantees by both sides. On Monday, the plant and the nearby towns of Enerhodar and Nikapol came under heavy shelling.
Grossi said he hoped to establish a permanent mission in Ukraine to monitor the plant.
