MFA: Russia deliberately blocking rotation of IAEA mission at captured nuclear plant

That’s according to a statement released by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukrinform reports.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the blocking by the Russian Federation of the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts to the temporarily occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant," the statement reads.

It is noted that the occupying forces also continue active militarization of the Zaporizhia NPP and surrounding area, deploying military equipment and servicemen there.

"The Russian Federation grossly violates the norms of international law, undermines the norms of nuclear and radiation safety, and also demonstrates complete disregard for the resolutions of the IAEA Board of Governors demanding that Russia immediately withdraw military equipment and personnel from the ZNPP," diplomats emphasized.

MFA Ukraine warned that Russia's criminal actions at the Ukrainian nuclear facility could lead to a disaster of the scale Europe has never seen.

"Moscow must immediately unblock the rotation of IAEA experts and ensure their immediate safe movement through the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the Zaporizhia NPP.

The ongoing crimes of the Russian Federation against civilian nuclear facilities in Ukraine, including the occupation of the ZNPP, obstructing the IAEA operations, and creating threats to the lives of international experts, require an urgent international response," the statement emphasizes.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to take immediate steps to expand sanctions on Russia’s Rosatom, its affiliated companies and institutions, as well as other key elements of Russia's nuclear energy industry. The diplomats separately emphasized the urgency of severing all cooperation with the Russian Federation in the field of nuclear technology, as well as limiting Russia’s rights and privileges in the IAEA.

"We are counting on the active and effective efforts by IAEA Director General Raphael Grossi to counter Russia’s crimes. The only possible way to restore nuclear safety and security in Europe is the immediate withdrawal of Russia’s military and civilian personnel from the ZNPP, its demilitarization and restoration of the Ukrainian control," the ministry is convinced.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Energy Minister German Galushchenko said the situation at the Zaporizhia NPP, which has been under the control of Russian terrorists since March 2022, is deteriorating. The latest actions by the Russians jeopardize the possibility of quickly reconnecting the station to the Ukrainian power grid once the facility is liberated.

Photo: Fredrik Dahl/IAEA