Int’l experts to check Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine amid fears of accident

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said on Monday that a group of 13 international experts were scheduled to visit the Russian-held  Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the war-torn Ukraine later this week to check security threats as the Russian military have renewed shelling in Europe’s largest NPP. 

“We must protect the safety and security of Ukraine’s and Europe’s largest nuclear facility”,said Grossi.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that the IAEA mission included experts from Poland, Lithuania, France, Italy and others nations seen as “friendly” to Ukraine, but also from Serbia and China which have been regarded as Russia’s allies in the conflict. 

The United Nations has several times called for the “immediate” demilitarization of the site, pointing at “serious” security threats.  

Russia  took control of the  Zaporizhzhia NPP in March, several weeks after it invaded Ukraine on February 24. 

The plant has been controlled by Russian forces since then, with Ukrainian engineers ensuring mandatory operations.