Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: UN experts make first inspection
After a perilous voyage that was made more difficult by shelling nearby, UN nuclear specialists have completed their initial assessment of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia power facility in Ukraine.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief claimed to have seen everything he “needed to see.” Russian soldiers followed the inspectors to the plant. Each other has been charged with attempting to sabotage the mission by Russia and Ukraine.
Europe’s biggest nuclear facility is located near Zaporizhzhia, in southern Ukraine. Russia quickly captured it after annexing Ukraine in February. The plant’s Ukrainian employees claim that Russian troops have used it as a military base and that employees are in fact being detained at gunpoint.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, told Russian media that was present during the inspections, “The important things I needed to see I saw, and your explanations were extremely clear.
He said that the UN agency would remain in the plant, but he did not say how many workers or for how long.
Eight to twelve inspectors would continue working, according to the Russian news agency Interfax, while five inspectors would continue working, according to the state nuclear business of Ukraine, Energoatom.
The inspectors intend to examine the plant’s condition and speak with the Ukrainian employees who are under Russian authority.
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