After Moscow and Kiev swapped accusations about a possible “catastrophic” act of sabotage at the Russian-controlled facility in Ukraine, UN monitors appealed for broader access to Europe’s largest nuclear reactor on Wednesday.
Both Kiev and Moscow have accused each other of planning “provocations” at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility in southern Ukraine, increasing fears of a catastrophic calamity.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday called for additional access to the plant to “confirm the absence of mines or explosives at the site”.
“With military tension and activities increasing in the region where this major nuclear power plant is located, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground,” IAEA head Rafael Grossi said in a statement.
The IAEA experts’ “independent and objective reporting would help clarify the current situation… which is crucial at a time like this with unconfirmed allegations and counter allegations”, he said.
In recent weeks, IAEA staff on site have inspected various locations, but so far have not observed “any visible indications of mines or explosives”.
However, the UN nuclear watchdog claims it has been unable to gain access to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4, as well as parts of the turbine halls and the plant’s cooling system.
Concerns about the nuclear plant’s safety have lingered throughout Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine accused Moscow this week of plotting “dangerous provocations” near the site, while Russia accused Ukraine of identical intentions.
Ukraine called on the international community to respond to what it described as Russia’s military escalation at the Zaporizhzhia plant on Wednesday.
