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Kyiv welcomes request for security zone in Zaporizhia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi welcomed the UN nuclear agency’s call for a security zone at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
Following last week’s visit by IAEA inspectors, the United Nations concluded that the bombing of the area of the plant, which has been occupied by Russia since the start of the war and has since been repeatedly attacked, must be halted immediately. Zelenskyi said he would support the security zone if it aims to demilitarize the nuclear power plant’s territory.
In a report released yesterday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (AIEA) said the bombing of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant could lead to an unlimited release of radioactive materials, while the presence of Russian military equipment on site could undermine its security.
Zelenskyy commented that the report notes the presence of Russian military equipment on the territory of the plant and speaks of pressure on employees.
Bombing near the facility continued even as a 14-strong IAEA team visited the site last week and its boss, Rafael Grossi, warned at the time of a very real threat of nuclear disaster. Although most of the team left the factory after two days, two officers stayed behind.