IAEA releases report on Tuesday about Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of creating a disaster risk by carrying out bombings near Europe's largest nuclear power plant.
247 - The UN nuclear watchdog is due to release a report on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Tuesday (6), a day after bombings cut off the electricity supply for the second time in two weeks and raised fears of a catastrophe, Reuters reports.
Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of creating a disaster risk by carrying out bombings near Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which officials said cut power lines on Monday and shut down its only remaining reactor.
The renewed concern about the power plant arose when Ukrainian forces pressed their counterattacks in the south and east, raising the national flag over a town in Kherson province, a southern region occupied by Russia since the early days of the war.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing information provided by Ukraine, said that the plant's backup power line was cut to extinguish a fire, but that the line itself was not damaged and would be reconnected.
The UN nuclear watchdog said the plant had enough electricity to operate safely and would be reconnected to the grid as soon as backup power was restored.
The IAEA's presence at the plant was reduced from six to two staff members on Monday. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi will release a report on Ukraine, including the plant, on Tuesday and then brief the UN Security Council, the IAEA said.
The fate of the nuclear power plant has become a new element in an energy battle between Russia and the West since Russian troops launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24.