The IAEA Team Will Visit PLTN Zaporizhia In Ukraine, Rafael Grossi: Proud To Lead This Mission

PLTN Zaporizhia in Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Ralf1969)

JAKARTA - The United Nations nuclear watchdog will conduct an inspection of Russia-controlled Nuclear Power Plant (PLTN) Zopirzhia (ZNPP) in Ukraine this week, he said on Twitter Monday.

The announcement comes after months of negotiations, in which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) seeks to gain access to the facility, operated by Ukrainian staff under the orders of Russian forces.

The mission, led by IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi, will assess any damage from the recent shooting near Europe's largest PLTN, in which Russia and Ukraine blame each other.

"We have to protect the safety and security of the largest nuclear facilities in Ukraine and Europe", Grossi said on Twitter with a photo of himself along with 13 other staff members.

"Proud of leading this mission to be at #ZNPP this weekend", he added, which appears to be at the VIP terminal of Vienna airport, Austria.

The day has come, @IAEAorg's Support and Assistance Mission to #Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) is now on its way. We must protect the safety and security of #Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility. Proud to lead this mission which will be in #ZNPP later this week. pic.twitter.com/tyVY7l4SrM

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) August 29, 2022

Neither Grossi nor the agency determines when they will arrive in Zaporizhia.

Separately, Ukraine's Ministry of Energy said it would not comment on the IAEA mission journey "for security reasons".

It is known, that the United Nations and Ukraine have called for the withdrawal of military equipment and personnel from the power plant, to ensure it is not a target in conflict.

On a separate Twitter, the IAEA wrote the mission would assess physical damage, evaluate conditions in which staff work in factories, and "determine the functionality of safety & security systems".

It will also "conduct urgent security activities", references to tracking nuclear material.

This week, DG @rafaelmgrossi leads the IAEA Support & Assistance Mission to #Zaporizhzhya (ISAMZ) to:

🔹Assess physical damage

🔹Determine functionality of safety & security systems

🔹Evaluate staff conditions

🔹Perform urgent safeguards activities

👉https://t.co/VKdJqxecgj https://t.co/miI73Pi9dI

— IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency (@iaeaorg) August 29, 2022