On Thursday, Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, expressed concern about the situation at the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in Ukraine. The plant is currently under Moscow’s control, also mentioning that efforts were underway to stabilize the situation.
UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi on Thursday said the situation at the Moscow-occupied Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant in Ukraine was “serious” but being stabilised as Kyiv reported progress in its counteroffensive.
Fears for Europe’s biggest nuclear plant, which have persisted throughout Moscow’s Ukraine offensive, have been exacerbated by the destruction of a dam that provided the cooling water for the plant.
Grossi, whose trip was delayed by a day as fighting intensified in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, arrived to assess potential risks.
Grossi’s third trip to the plant, which fell to Moscow’s forces early in their offensive, came as Ukraine, bolstered with Western weapons and training, pushed its long-awaited effort to force Russian troops off its territory.
On Thursday, Kyiv reported progress in its counteroffensive on the eastern and southern fronts, despite contending with strong resistance from Russian troops.
Moscow claimed victory in Bakhmut last month after the longest battle of the war that claimed thousands of lives and left the city in ruins.
Kyiv also said that it had encountered major resistance from Russian occupational forces.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
