Russia trying to disrupt IAEA mission's visit to Zaporizhzhia NPP – President's Office

Russia simulates fighting in Enerhodar by shelling the area near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in order to disrupt a visit by an IAEA team.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, said this in a Telegram post, Ukrinform reports.

"Russia is trying to disrupt the visit of the IAEA mission to the nuclear power plant by simulating combat operations in Enerhodar and shelling the area near the nuclear power plant. These are exactly Russian provocations. Now it is important not to give the Russians the opportunity to get what they want with lies and blackmail. They must get away from Ukrainian land," Yermak said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission led by its head, Rafael Grossi, arrived in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on the eve of the planned visit to the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

The Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been occupied by the Russian military since March 4. Since then, the invaders have been placing military equipment and ammunition at the station, shelling the surrounding area.

The United Nations, the United States, and Ukraine called on the Russian Federation to withdraw military equipment and personnel from the nuclear facility.