A satellite image shows an overview of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Ukraine, August 29, 2022. “The day has come,” Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a tweet. Grossi, who heads the IAEA’s “Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhia,” has long sought access to the nuclear plant, which is Europe’s largest. Russia and Ukraine have traded accusations of shelling at or near the site in recent weeks, fueling fears that the fighting could spark a nuclear disaster. “We must protect the safety and security of #Ukraine and Europe’s largest nuclear facility,” Grossi tweeted, along with a photo of himself with 13 other experts. “Proud to lead this mission to #ZNPP later this week.” Shortly after invading neighboring Ukraine on February 24, Russian troops stormed the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant near the town of Enerhodar, on the banks of the Dnipro River in the country’s southeast. Ukrainian workers have stayed put to keep the plant running as it supplies electricity across the war-torn country. A Russian soldier guards an area of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in territory under Russian military control, southeastern Ukraine, May 1, 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the IAEA team would travel to the plant through territory controlled by Ukraine, state-run TASS reported. The area around the nuclear plant is controlled by Russian forces. Peskov said that once the IAEA team enters Russian-controlled territory, all necessary security will be provided.
