International

Nuclear Fears Rise as Zaporizhzhia Plant Attacked

The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors will convene for an extraordinary meeting in Vienna on Thursday to address attacks on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as requested by Russia. This follows reports from Reuters, as cited by Agerpres.

Europe's largest nuclear plant sustained a drone attack on Sunday, with one of its six reactors reportedly struck, according to the IAEA.

Russia and Ukraine have engaged in repeated mutual accusations regarding attacks on the plant, which Russian forces occupied in 2022. Both sides have denied responsibility.

Mikhail Ulyanov, the Russian Ambassador to the IAEA, announced Monday evening that his country had requested an emergency meeting of the organisation's 35-member leadership. The meeting will focus on "recent attacks and provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces against" the plant.

An official date for the meeting remains unannounced. The Board of Governors' regulations permit any member state to initiate such a meeting.

Wednesday marks a non-working day for the UN in Vienna due to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, celebrating the end of Ramadan.

As the IAEA's primary decision-making body, the Board meets multiple times annually.

Reuters anticipates that Moscow will once again place blame for the recent drone attack on Kyiv. However, the news agency suggests it's unlikely the Council will support this position. Last month, the Council adopted a resolution demanding Russia's withdrawal from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

The IAEA has not attributed the attacks to either side, solely urging the cessation of such actions. On Sunday, IAEA Director Rafael Grossi stated, "Such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must stop immediately."

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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