THE head of the UN nuclear agency has warned that the "physical integrity" of Europe's largest nuclear power plant has been "violated several" times by shelling during the invasion of Ukraine.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, was part of a UN delegation that arrived at the Zaporizhzhia plant in southern Ukraine yesterday – despite Russian obstruction.
The UN dispatched the 14-strong mission after the plant came under heavy Russian shelling in recent weeks, raising fears that rising radiation levels could end in another Chernobyl disaster.
"It is obvious that the plant and physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times," Grossi told reporters after he returned to the Ukrainian-controlled area with part of his team.
"Today we were able, in these few hours, to gather a lot of information. The key things I needed to see I saw, and their explanations were very clear," he said.
"I am worried, I worry and I will continue to be worried about the plant."
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After the inspection, Grossi said: "The important thing is the IAEA is staying here."
It is unclear how many UN experts will remain at the facility.
Amid mounting fears, Lithuania today suggested sending UN Police to the plant to protect it during a meeting of the heads of the UN Police.
Arunas Paulauskas, Deputy Commissioner General of the Police of Lithuania, said UN police corps could ensure the security of a long-term mission of the UN nuclear agency on the site.
Ukraine has accused Russia of using the plant as a shield and a tool of blackmail, as well as hindering the work of the IAEA in Zaporizhzhia – located on a frontline repeatedly hit by shelling.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s nuclear agency which operates the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), said it was forced to close down a reactor shortly before the UN team arrived on site.
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"Due to another (Russian) mortar shelling", Eneroatom confirmed on a Telegram post the "operating power unit five was shut down".
The agency explained that the plant's backup power supply for in-house needs "was damaged" in the shelling, leading to a blackout as the emergency protection system kicked in.
"This is the second time in the last 10 days that the criminal actions of the Russian military have caused the shutdown of the unit and the power plant blackout," Energoatom added.
Shortly after Zaporizhzhia was captured by Russian troops on March 4, the nuclear agency was forced to close down two reactors.
On August 5, it closed down a third reactor following intense shelling.
A fourth reactor is currently being fixed.
This left only two reactors still in operation until this morning, when reactor six was shutdown.
"Power unit six keeps operating in the Ukraine power system and at the same time powers the ZNPP's in-house needs," Energoatom said on Telegram.
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"The power plant's Ukrainian workers are doing their best to prevent damage to its infrastructure."
Earlier yesterday, footage emerged showing an explosion rocking a medical building in Enerhodar, which lies just miles from the nuclear plant and was on the pre-agreed route for the UN mission to the plant.
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