IAEA chief visits Ukraine for nuclear safety mission

Kyiv: Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is in Ukraine for talks with senior government officials about ensuring the safety and security of the country’s nuclear sites.

Grossi is to offer urgent technical assistance including sending experts to key places in a bid to avert the risk of any accident.

"The military conflict is putting Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and other facilities with radioactive material in unprecedented danger," Grossi said.

He added, "We must take urgent action to make sure that they can continue to operate safely and securely and reduce the risk of a nuclear accident."

There have been fears over the safety of Ukrainian nuclear facilities during the conflict. In early March 2022, a fire started at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant after shelling near the facility.

The Chernobyl power station has had power lines cut off, with Ukrainian forces blaming Russian troops who have seized the plant, according to media report.