International Atomic Energy Agency mission arrives in Zaporizhzhia for nuclear plant inspection

A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in Zaporizhzhia, according to the Ukrainian state energy company Enerhoatom. The representatives, led by IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, plan to travel from the Ukrainian-held city to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to conduct an inspection.

Local collaborationist officials reported earlier that the IAEA officials will not be issued special passes to enter Russian-controlled territory. “The IAEA mission will stand in line to enter the liberated part of the Zaporizhzhia territory. [...] But they could have entered safely, quickly, and without obstacles if they had gone through the liberated territory from Russia,” said regional occupation official Vladimir Rogov.

According to Alexander Volga, a collaborationist official in Enerhodar, the local Russian-backed administration is interested in hosting a permanent IAEA mission at the nuclear facility.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is Europe's largest nuclear energy facility. It was captured by Russian troops at the start of Moscow's full-scale war against Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused one another of shelling the station in recent months.

The IAEA reported in early August that “every principle of nuclear safety has been violated” at the Zaporizhzhia plant. According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia is storing heavy military equipment in the facility itself, using it as a shield from Ukrainian strikes (an allegation that’s been confirmed by video evidence).