IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said he had been informed “of increased military activity in the region”.
The mission of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is directed to the nuclear power plant located in the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhia, amid mutual accusations between Moscow and Kiev for attacks and bombings in the region.
“Provocation” says Russia
The Russian Defense Ministry announced today that Ukrainian forces attempted to seize the nuclear power plant. According to Moscow, 60 Ukrainian soldiers crossed the Dnieper River, which separates the two sides, in boats at 06:00 am local time. Russia called the operation a “provocation” aimed at disrupting the planned visit of the IAEA team.
The Russian ministry stressed that “measures were taken” to neutralize the opposing troops, also with the help of the air force.
For its part, a Russian-appointed regional official said Russian forces had spotted Ukrainian troops near the nuclear plant, with the Russian air force pinning them down.
In an interview with Russian state broadcaster RT, Vladimir Rogov said Ukrainian forces launched the attack out of “desperation” ahead of an upcoming IAEA visit to the nuclear plant.
The Russians are bombing, Kyiv complains
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities in the Zaporizhia province accused Russian troops of shelling Enerhodar, along the route the IAEA mission will take to reach the nuclear plant.
“The Russians are launching artillery strikes against the route the IAEA mission will take to get to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant,” which is in Russian hands, the city’s exiled mayor Dmytro Orlov complained on Telegram.
He estimated that the mission cannot “continue its way” to the station “for security reasons”.
“We demand that Russia stop the provocations and allow the IAEA access to this Ukrainian nuclear facility,” Orlov stressed.
Already at dawn, the Russians “opened fire on Enerhodar with mortars, automatic weapons and rocket launchers,” Orlov had reported in Telegram. His post was accompanied by photos of damaged buildings and plumes of black smoke.
The IAEA team is on its way to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant
The IAEA mission is heading towards the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The head of the IAEA Raphael Grossi he said he had been informed “of increased military activity in the area” but added that he would not change his plans to visit the nuclear plant and meet with its staff.
RES-EMP
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