IAEA Demands Access to Entire Zaporijjia Nuclear Power Plant Amidst Russia-Ukraine Conflict

2023-07-05 21:51:28

The IAEA has demanded access to the entire Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporijjia, occupied by Russia, while kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of preparing a provocation on the site.

Moscow and kyiv continue to accuse each other. The Kremlin warned on Wednesday July 5 once morest “catastrophic consequences” in case of’“subversive act” launched by Ukraine on the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, occupied by Russian troops. accusing Russia of having “placed explosives at the plant”kyiv for its part demanded “immediate measures” of the international community. In this context of uncertainty, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has judged “crucial” to be able to access the entire site. Here is what to remember from this new day of conflict.

IAEA calls for better access to Zaporizhia plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency asked on Wednesday for access to all of the plant’s buildings to “confirm the absence of mines or explosives on the site”. “As tension and military activity increase in the region, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground”so “independent and objective”, said the general manager, Rafael Grossi. He is “crucial to clarify the current situation”as both sides accuse each other of planning “provocation” or “offensive”he insisted.

Over the past few weeks, IAEA personnel on site have inspected various locations “without observing so far traces of mines or explosives”. But the UN body might not access the roofs of the premises housing reactors 3 and 4 or even certain areas of the plant’s cooling system.

Russia warns of possible Ukrainian “subversive act” in Zaporizhia

Referring to a situation “very tense” Regarding the Zaporizhia power plant, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “the risk of a subversive act by the kyiv regime is very high”with potential “catastrophic consequences”. “We must take all measures to combat this threat”he added, accusing kyiv of showing “multiple times” his ability to “be ready for anything”.

In recent weeks, kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of endangering the security of the plant, while the Ukrainian army is carrying out a counter-offensive in this part of Ukraine. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Emmanuel Macron in a telephone conversation that the Russians “prepared dangerous provocations” in the central. On Wednesday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called on the international community to “take immediate action”following Russia “placed explosives at the plant”.

At least one dead in a city occupied by Russian forces

At least one person was killed in a Ukrainian bombardment, overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, on Makiivka, a city under Russian occupation in eastern Ukraine, local pro-Russian authorities announced. “At present, 41 people have been injured by the shelling, including two children”, added the mayor of the city, Vladislav Klioutcharov. About 40 apartment buildings, schools and medical facilities were damaged, he said. The Ukrainian army has assured that it has targeted a “formation” Russian military in Makiivka, a city which has been controlled since 2014 by pro-Russian separatists supported by Moscow.

UN says ‘worried’ regarding grain deal

The UN has expressed apprehension following Russia said this week that it does not see “no reason” to extend the agreement on Ukrainian grain exports, which will expire at the end of July 17. “There is no doubt that we are worried”acknowledged a senior UN official very involved in the negotiations, Rebeca Grynspan. “We plan to go to Moscow in the remaining days” before the deal expires, she said. Moscow has been complaining for several months of obstacles to another agreement, signed last July with the UN, on its fertilizer exports.

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