The mission is expected to arrive in Zaporizhzhia later in the week, the IAEA director general says.
Image source, Getty ImagesAn inspection team from the UN nuclear watchdog is on its way to Ukraine’s embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the organisation’s head said.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said the team was expected to arrive at the plant later this week.
“We must protect the safety and security of Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility,” he tweeted.
The nuclear plant has been occupied by invading Russian troops since March.
Fighting around the facility in Ukraine’s south-east has led to mounting global concern over the safety and security of the site.
Ukraine and Russia have accused one another of shelling the area.
The day has come, @IAEAorg‘s Support and Assistance Mission to #Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) is now on its way. We must protect the safety and security of #Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility. Proud to lead this mission which will be in #ZNPP later this week. pic.twitter.com/tyVY7l4SrM
— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi)
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky said Europe was “one step away” from a radiation disaster on Thursday when when the plant was briefly disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid and back-up generators kicked in to supply it with power.
He said fires had damaged the overhead power lines, cutting the plant off for the first time in its history.
Ukraine and Russia blamed each other for strikes that caused the damage. The BBC was not able to independently verify which side was responsible.
Russia’s military took over the plant in early March, but it is still being operated by Ukrainian staff under difficult conditions.
The Kremlin had previously signalled that it would only allow international inspectors to visit the complex so the IAEA’s visit will mark an important moment in being able to verify what is happening on the ground.
Ukraine had feared an IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia would legitimise the Russian occupation of the nuclear plant, before finally backing a visit.
“Almost every day there is a new incident at or near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We can’t afford to lose any more time,” the IAEA director general said.