Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: UN experts make first inspection

UN nuclear experts have made their first inspection of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine and are to maintain a presence there.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said the “plant and physical integrity of the plant” had been “violated several times”.

The inspectors were accompanied to the plant by Russian soldiers after a risky journey delayed by shelling.

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of trying to sabotage the mission.

Zaporizhzhia, in southern Ukraine, is Europe’s largest nuclear plant. It was occupied by Russia soon after it invaded Ukraine in February.

Ukrainian staff who continue to operate the plant say Russian troops have used it as a military base and that workers are in effect held at gunpoint.

“We are not going anywhere. The IAEA is now there, it is at the plant and it is not moving – it’s going to stay there,” Mr Grossi said, once he had crossed back into Ukrainian-held territory.

But he did not specify how many people would be staying and for how long.

Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that around eight to 12 inspectors would stay on, while Ukraine’s state nuclear company Energoatom said five inspectors would stay.

The inspectors hope to assess the state of the plant and talk to Ukrainian workers under Russian control.

Mr Grossi said that battles taking place near the plant were “not going to stop” the inspection.

Agencies