IAEA chief to consider continued presence at Zaporizhzhia NPP

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi has said that he will consider establishing a continued presence at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

According to Reuters, he said this on Thursday, before heading to the plant.

"There has been increased military activity including this morning, until very recently, a few minutes ago ... but weighing the pros and cons and having come so far, we are not stopping," he said.

According to the BBC, Grossi said he had collected enough important information at the ZNPP, without specifying any details.

According to him, the IAEA mission will remain at the ZNPP until September 3, and then the issue of a permanent presence at the station will be considered.

An IAEA team led by Grossi arrived at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Thursday.

On September 1, Russian forces shelled the pre-agreed route of the mission. Russian troops also shelled the city of Enerhodar using mortars. Later, the invaders opened fire from MLRS and helicopters. Casualties were reported.

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

The UN, U.S. and Ukraine called on Russia to withdraw military equipment and personnel from the nuclear facility.