Status: 09/04/2022 16:53
From the Russian side, it is questioned that the IAEA representatives will be longer in the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. In Ukraine, many do not believe that the mission will be successful anyway. Fighting continues on many sectors of the front.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafel Grossi, said it was a difference like day and night – now that independent experts are in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant, you can get your own information about the situation in the nuclear reactor.
But how long this mission will last is not yet clear. Grossi had brought the permanent whereabouts of experts into play. Vladimir Rogov, representative of the Russian occupation administration on site, told the radio station of the Russian newspaper “Komsomolskaya Pravda” today that the team would leave the day after tomorrow, according to the preliminary plans.
After the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid again on Saturday due to shelling, the IAEA said in a statement that the plant would continue to supply electricity via a reserve line. One reactor is still operating, producing electricity for cooling and other essential safety functions at the plant.
IAEA report expected next week
The inspectors want to present their report on the safety of the nuclear power plant at the beginning of next week. Ukraine demands that the nuclear reactor must be demilitarized in order to be able to really guarantee security there. Russia refuses to withdraw Russian soldiers. In this respect, many in Kyiv do not believe that the IAEA mission will be successful.
Pavlo Kazarin, a journalist currently serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, said on a talk show on Ukrainian television:
I don’t think that any diplomatic measure can force today’s Kremlin, today’s Russia, to do anything. Not even with the occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant. Perhaps the visit to international organizations in the occupied territories is more of an attempt to dispel these organizations and their leaders from any illusions about the Russian approach and their willingness to negotiate.
Fight on all front sectors
According to Russian information, the situation around the nuclear power plant was relatively calm until Sunday afternoon. Instead, Russian attacks continue in the east and south of the country. In his daily video message, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said:
There is heavy fighting on many sectors of the front: in the Kharkiv region, in the Donbass and in the south of the country. Russian troops attacked Mykolaiv region, Zaporizhia region, Dniporpetrovsk region and Kharkiv region. Unfortunately, there are victims – including children.” There are no details on the number of victims.
Shaded in white: advance of the Russian army. Shaded in green: Russian-backed separatist areas. Crimea: annexed by Russia.
Image: ISW/09/03/2022
Grain silo is said to have been hit
The Ukrainian port of Ochakov in the Mykolaiv region was also shelled. Deputy Mayor Olkesy Vaskov on the damage caused by the Russian airstrike:
The grain silo in Ochakov was destroyed. Several thousand tons of grain were destroyed. Our municipal services are now clearing away the rubble. Dozens of homes were also damaged, fortunately no one was injured.
Meanwhile, Ukraine hopes for further support from the EU. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal is in Berlin today for talks. He announced via Telegram that he expects his country to receive five billion euros from the EU in the coming week – this is intended to support the economy and the army, among other things.
According to the Russian occupiers, the duration of the IAEA mission at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant is unclear
Stephan Laack, ARD Moscow, September 4, 2022 4:06 p.m