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US calls on Russia to cease all military operations around nuclear plants

WASHINGTON, Aug 8 (KUNA) -- The United States on Monday warned of the dangers of fighting near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine and called on Russia to cease all military operations around nuclear facilities.
"Fighting near a nuclear plant is dangerous and we continue to call on Russia to cease all military operations at or near Ukrainian nuclear facilities and return full control to Ukraine," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
"For our part, we continue to support the efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to fulfill its technical safeguards mandate and to assist Ukraine with nuclear safety and security measures [Inaudible] nuclear facilities," she added.
Jean-Pierre said the US is continuing to "closely monitor" the situation at the facility and radiation sensors have "thankfully" not shown any indications of an increase or abnormal radiation levels.
Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest atomic power complex and was occupied by Russia early in its military operation in Ukraine and recent fighting there has raised fears of a nuclear accident. (end) rsr.aa