The “physical integrity of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant” of Zaporijia, occupied by Russian forces, “has been violated,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Rafael Grossi said Thursday after a mission to inspect the facilities.
“The physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times,” Grossi told the press as he returned to the Kiev-controlled area with part of the IAEA mission. “We have no elements to make a review, [mas] is something that can’t keep happening,” he added.
Several members of the mission will stay there until “Sunday or Monday” to thoroughly study the condition of the factory, the largest in Europe and whose facilities have been bombed several times, Grossi said.
“We’re going to have a lot of work here to analyze certain technical aspects,” he noted.
The IAEA also plans to “maintain a permanent presence” at the factory after that date, the official said, without providing further details.
He then described the “pretty difficult situation” of his team hearing heavy artillery fire during the journey to the factory and when crossing the front line. “There were times when machine-gun fire, heavy artillery and mortar fire were obvious two or three times — we were very concerned.”admitted the director of the IAEA.
‘Let everyone know that the IAEA is staying here’
Rafael Grossi said he had already “seen what he needed to see” during the inspection of the Zaporijia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, where he assured the organization would stay.
“We managed to gather a lot of information during these few hours. I saw the most important things that I needed to see,” Rafael Grossi told Russian journalists who accompanied the delegation of IAEA experts in this center occupied by troops who be loyal to Moscow, in the south of Ukraine.
The IAEA’s expert mission assured that after inspection, it will remain at the plant in Zaporijia for a high-risk mission to prevent a nuclear disaster in the place where Russians and Ukrainians accuse each other of bombing.
“We accomplished something very important today. And the most important thing is that the IAEA will stay here. Let everyone know that the IAEA will stay in Zaporijia,” Grossi said.
After arriving at the factory from the town of Zaporijia, about 120 kilometers by road, Grossi said he had seen “a lot of things” during the “four or five hours” he spent there.
“We were able to visit all facilities. [dos reatores]”I saw the emergency system and other areas, the control rooms,” he summed up, praising the Ukrainian workers who continue to work at the factory since the occupation, in March, by the Russian army.
“Of course they are in a difficult situation, but they have an incredible level of professionalism,” added the IAEA director.
In Kiev, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Robert Mardini, called for the suspension of all military operations around the plant and warned that an attack would be “catastrophic”.
“It’s time to stop playing with fire and take concrete steps to protect this place,” Mardini said.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other for weeks of endangering the nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe.
One of the two reactors in operation has been shut down over bombing the Ukrainians attribute to Russian forces, while Moscow accuses Kiev of sending sabotage teams to the nuclear power plant.
The power station is located along the Dnieper River, the left bank of which in this sector is controlled by Russian troops.
The military offensive launched by Russia on February 24 in Ukraine has already led to nearly 13 million people fleeing — more than six million displaced persons and nearly seven million to neighboring countries — according to the latest UN data, which describes this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
The Russian invasion – justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security – was condemned by the generality of the international community, which has responded by sending arms to Ukraine and impose it on Russia. sanctions.
updated at 20.30
Source: DN
