Head Of IAEA Calls For The Liberation Of The Head Of The Ukrainian PLTN, President Zelensky: An Example Of Russian Terrorist Actions

The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. (Wikimedia Commons/Ralf1969)

JAKARTA - The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog called for the release of the director-general of Russia-occupied Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, saying his detention poses a threat to safety and security.

A Russian patrol detained Ihor Murashov on Friday, the state-owned company in charge of the plant said on Saturday. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Russia had confirmed the move.

"Director General of IAEA Rafael Grossi expressed hope that Murashov will return to his family safely and will soon be able to continue his important functions at the factory," the agency tweeted on Saturday evening.

The IAEA has come into contact with the relevant authorities to ask for clarification on its temporary detention, which it says has "very significant impact" on it and its nuclear safety and security standards.

Grossi is expected to hold talks in Moscow and Kyiv next week regarding the creation of a protection zone around the Zaporizhia plant, the watchdog said on Saturday.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Murashov was kidnapped by Russia and called it an act of terror.

"This is another example of Russia's apparent acts of terror, where terrorist countries must bear an increasing sentence," Zelenskiy said in his evening video speech.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Sunday Grossi had assured him in a phone call that the IAEA would "not try to ensure the release of Russia's kidnapped director ZNPP".

Kuleba also said Ukraine is ready to facilitate the rotation of IAEA experts at Zaporizhia station. It is known, several IAEA experts have worked in power plants since early September.

"I emphasize that Russia must withdraw troops and military equipment from the station," Kuleba said on Twitter.