IAEA chief voices concern over Ukraine nuclear power plant shelling

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi said on Monday he was “very concerned” over the latest explosions at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

“I am very concerned about that. The artillery activity is almost constant at the moment. As we have been pointing out in our report, we are following very closely the situation,” Grossi said at a press briefing in Vienna on the sidelines of IAEA The Board of Governors meeting.

“There are a number of technical issues that are starting to arise like the long-term shutdown of the plant. Many issues that have nuclear safety implications as well,” he added.

He expressed hopes for “high-level” talks with the Russian and Ukrainian sides on the issue in the near future.

Meanwhile, Grossi pointed out that there was “no growing military presence” by the Russians at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

More shelling of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been reported, with Ukraine and Russia again blaming each other for the attack.

Ukraine has also accused Russia of planning to carry out a sabotage attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant that it has controlled since it seized it by force in March 2022.