newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Russia on Friday accused Ukraine of trying to install spies at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is inspecting the safety of the plant amid a barrage of artillery fire.
Ukrainian special services by order of ” [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy]tried to introduce their spies and saboteurs, working under the cover of journalists, to the IAEA delegation to the Zaporizhia NPP, โ said Vladimir Rogov, a Moscow-appointed local official, according to Russian state media. told the outlet RIA.
Rogov claimed that the attempt was called off on Friday and that Ukrainian journalists were barred from entering the factory.
UN nuclear team arrives at Zaporizhia factory in Ukraine after shelling delayed move
Fox News will also independently verify Rogov’s allegations to see if all Ukrainian journalists were barred from entering the factory when the IAEA returned to the ZNPP for a second day of inspections. I couldn’t do it.
Ukrainian engineers continue to operate the nuclear plant under threat of physical and verbal abuse, while Russian forces have occupied the factory since March.
A former ZNPP worker told Fox News this week that he personally knew two colleagues who were “arrested” by Russian forces, held in a factory basement and tortured.
At least one of the technicians he mentioned was accused of “spotting” for the Ukrainian military.
Ukrainian nuclear plant workers say Russia evacuated personnel before attack on Zaporizhia
Russian media reported on Friday that a delegation from the state-owned nuclear agency Rosatom, accompanied by IAEA officials, toured the power plant and showed damage from artillery fire.
Moscow has accused Ukraine of repeated shelling that endangered the integrity and safety of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.
In response, Ukraine said Russia planned an attack on a factory where its own troops are stationed, and on Thursday attacked civilian targets in a nearby town, including three kindergartens, in the region. accused of trying to provoke a reaction.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, who is leading a team of 12 other men and one woman to inspect the safety of the plant, said the ZNPP had apparently been damaged “several times.” told reporters.
“It is clear that the factory and the physical integrity of the plant have been breached,” he said on Friday, according to a Reuters report. “This is something that cannot continue to happen.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Grossi said his team would stay on-site despite the danger and provide an unbiased assessment of what was happening on the ground.
Ukrainian and Western officials have called on Russia to demilitarize the region to prevent a nuclear disaster.