The UN’s nuclear watchdog will arrive at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant this week to assess the damage of ongoing shelling at or near the facility..Monday’s announcement on Twitter by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Grossi follows months of negotiations to send an inspection team to Europe’s largest nuclear plant housing six reactors..“The day has come, IAEA’s Support and Assistance Mission to Zaporizhzhya is now on its way,” Tweeted Grossi on Monday..The team will arrive in Ukraine “later this week.”.The Zaporizhzhia plant is in southeast Ukraine, where fighting has raged since Russia’s invasion in February and has been targeted with strikes..Russian forces occupy the plant that is being run by Ukrainian technicians and workers..Each side has vehemently blamed the other as fears mounted over the risk of a massive radiation leak that could affect several Eastern European countries, including Russia..Ukraine accused Russia of storing weapons at the plant and launching strikes from it, while Russia has said Ukraine is responsible for the shelling..The UN has pushed for a demilitarized zone to be established around the plant..Energoatom, Ukraine’s state energy company that operates all four nuclear facilities in the country, has raised alarms about the possibility of a radiation leak and fires..READ MORE: Fears continue of ‘large-scale catastrophe’ at Ukraine nuke plant.Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Friday to allow the IAEA team in..Grossi’s team will assess damage and “determine functionality of safety & security systems.”.“We must protect the safety and security of Ukraine’s and Europe’s biggest nuclear facility,” Tweeted Grossi. “Proud to lead this mission which will be in #ZNPP later this week.”
