In a statement, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the strikes represented “the latest in a long line of increasingly alarming reports” and underlined “the very real risk of nuclear catastrophe that could threaten the public. health and environment in Ukraine and beyond”. Earlier on Saturday, the plant’s operator said Friday’s bombing had “severely damaged” a station containing nitrogen and oxygen and an “ancillary building”. Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the attacks. Grossi said, “I condemn any acts of violence that take place in or near” the plant or against its personnel. He added that “military action that jeopardizes the safety and security” of the plant is “totally unacceptable and must be avoided at all costs.” Grossi also reiterated his willingness to “lead a mission of IAEA experts on safety, security and safeguards” to Zaporizhia. Ukraine has so far rejected the idea of such a mission, which it says would legitimize Russia’s presence at the site. Russian troops have occupied the Zaporizhzhia factory since the first days of their invasion of Ukraine. However, Grossi insisted he “will not give up.” “I will continue to push and push again for this IAEA mission to finally take place,” he said, while admitting it would require “cooperation, understanding and facilitation from both Ukraine and Russia.” As part of such a mission “IAEA safeguards inspectors could conduct basic verification activities at the plant” and the IAEA “would also provide unbiased and independent information” on the condition of the plant, Grossi said.
