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IAEA Chief: Ukraine nuclear plant situation heading in "right direction"

VIENNA, June 5 (KUNA) -- Efforts to protect Ukraine's Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are moving in the "right direction," the United Nations' nuclear watchdog's chief Rafael Grossi said on Monday. "We have taken a step in the right direction with regards to the dangerous and fragile situation around Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine," Grossi told the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors.
Following "intensive consultations" with the leadership of Ukraine and Russia, he outlined the UN nuclear watchdog's five principles aiming to protect the Ukrainian nuclear power plant, all of which seek to avert a nuclear mishap that could have result in catastrophic ramifications. There should be no attack of any kind or form against the plant, in particular targeting the reactors, spent fuel storage and other critical infrastructure or personnel, he underlined.
He went on to emphasize the necessity of these principles given the increasing risk at the Zaporizhzhya power plant, saying the plant's offsite power has been knocked out seven times since the start of the conflict, which shows the need to protect this "vital electricity supply," he said.
The UN's nuclear watchdog experts will remain in Ukraine to carry on with inspection efforts, while monitoring and reporting daily about the developments on nuclear safety and security, he added. (end) amq.nam