ZNPP shelled last night and this morning, IAEA reports
The IAEA informed about another shelling of the nuclear power plant (Photo:REUTERS / Alexander Ermochenko)
International Atomic Energy Agency observers at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant have reported more than a dozen explosions in the area next to the plant.
According to a statement on the agency's website, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said the blast were heard in the evening on Nov. 19 and in the morning on Nov. 20.
"IAEA experts at the ZNPP reported to agency headquarters that more than a dozen blasts were heard within a short period of time in the morning, local time,” the report reads.
“The IAEA team could also see some of the explosions from their windows.”
It is noted that some buildings, systems and equipment were damaged at the ZNPP site, but none of them is critical for nuclear safety and security.
There are no reports of casualties.
It is specified that the IAEA experts "are in close contact with site management and will continue to assess and report on the situation".
The agency did not specify who fired at the Ukrainian nuclear power plant, but stressed that it must stop immediately.
"The news from our team yesterday and this morning is extremely disturbing," said Grossi.
“Explosions occurred at the site of this major nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable. Whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately.”
The agency adds that "Grossi renewed his urgent appeal to both sides in the conflict to agree and implement a nuclear safety and security zone around the ZNPP as soon as possible.”
In recent months, Grossi has held intensive consultations with Ukraine and Russia on the establishment of such a zone, but so far to no avail.
"I’m not giving up until this zone has become a reality,” he said.
“As the ongoing apparent shelling demonstrates, it is needed more than ever.”
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