The UN’s nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday reported powerful explosions near Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station and renewed calls for a security zone around the plant.
A Russian official dismissed the comments by Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, saying they suggested Moscow could not uphold nuclear safety and said it is a rumour.
Russian forces seized the plant in early March, soon after invading neighboring Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of firing around it near the front lines, prompting the IAEA to place experts at all of Ukraine’s five nuclear stations, reports Reuters and BBC.
Grossi, who visited Ukraine last week, said IAEA monitors routinely reported explosions near the plant.
“Yesterday, eight strong detonations were heard at around 10 a.m. local time, causing office windows at the plant to vibrate, and more were audible today,” he said in a statement.
IAEA has renewed calls for a safety zone after explosions near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant raised fears of an accident.
Meanwhile, Hungary will veto any European Union sanctions against Russia affecting nuclear energy, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
