Zaporozhye ready to host IAEA experts
The head of the mostly Russia-controlled Zaporozhye Region, Yevhen Balytskyi, announces readiness to host IAEA experts but cannot guarantee security as Ukrainian attacks remain unpredictable.
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Yevhen Balytskyi, head of the Russian-controlled Zaporozhye Region
The head of the mostly Russia-controlled Zaporozhye Region, Yevhen Balytskyi, said on Thursday that the authorities are prepared to host International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts and ensure their safety according to Rossiya 24 broadcaster.
In an interview with the broadcaster, Balytski said that "We are fully prepared to host [UN Secretary General Antonio] Guterres, we are ready to receive IAEA [experts], we are ready to receive today everyone who arrives and ensure their safety."
However, the regional head also stressed that ensuring the security of IAEA experts is much more difficult given that the Ukrainian attacks on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant are unpredictable.
A high-voltage line of the Kakhovskaya substation of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP) has been damaged as a result of shelling by the Ukrainian armed formations, Vladimir Rogov, a representative of the regional administration, said on Thursday.
"[Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky's terrorists continue shelling the Zaporizhzhia NPP. A high-voltage line of the Kakhovskaya substation has been damaged. The line has been grounded to carry out restoration work," Rogov said on Telegram.
Furthermore, Rogov added that "The station specialists have been instructed to move to safe premises. At present, no contamination is being registered at the station. The radiation background is normal," after at least three shells were identified in the storage of radioactive isotopes area.
The official added that firemen were trying to extinguish a fire that had also started in a nearby field due to the damage that resulted in broken power cables following the shelling.
Earlier on August 9, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that heightened activity from Ukrainian forces made the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) increasingly dangerous. Zakharova added that Kiev, through targeting the facility, is holding all of Europe hostage.
On August 10, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky confirmed that Russia has requested a UN Security Council meeting on August 11 in relation to Ukraine's attack on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (NPP).
Read more: Russia requests UNSC meeting in connection with Zaporozhye NPP
