International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect nuclear facility in Ukraine -

Vienna/ Moscow : International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team is set to inspect a nuclear facility in Zaporizhzhia based in Ukraine to assess the potential radioactive leak due to ongoing attacks. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, informed this by a tweet. Russia has welcomed the decision. A senior Russian official expressed confidence that this inspection would clear all the misinformation about the facility. Russia has claimed to shoot down a drone of Ukraine near this nuclear facility. Since Russia’s offensive military campaign in Ukraine began in February, within a few weeks, Russia seized the nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhia. This is one of Europe’s largest nuclear power plants, with a generation capacity of 6000 MW. This nuclear facility has a huge stockpile of enriched uranium and nuclear fuel. Currently, the plant is operated by Ukrainian workers. As Ukraine started retaliation last month in the southern parts captured by Russia, this nuclear plant has again become focused in the last few days. Due to the ongoing attacks near the nuclear plant, a concern is raised about the security of the entire European continent. Both Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other for the attacks. Hence the International community asked for permission to inspect the nuclear plant.

After Russian President Putin granted the permission, IAEA signed an agreement with Russia about their visit and immediately prepared a team. The inspection team will be led by the head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi. He has published a photo of the team on social media while informing that the team will soon be in Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russia has welcomed the inspection.

Senior Russian official Mikhail Ulyanov expressed confidence that the inspection would clear many misconceptions about the power plant. He informed that Russia is taking all measures to make this visit happen. Also, Russia is aware of a proposal from IAEA to deploy a few officials in the nuclear plant permanently.

Meanwhile, as the IAEA team plans their visit, the areas around the nuclear plant are still under attack. Russia has claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone meant to attack the nuclear power plant.