Russia's military aggression against Ukraine continues.
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues across Ukraine, forcing thousands of civilians to flee the country.
We will keep you updated on developments in Ukraine on September 1st (Japan time), including the battle situation and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a time difference of 6 hours between Japan and Ukraine and Moscow, Russia)
IAEA to start investigation of Zaporizhia nuclear power plant from 1st
At the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, a team of experts from the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to start investigating the nuclear power plant from the 1st to ensure safety.
However, shelling is believed to continue at and around the nuclear power plant, and the focus is on whether the IAEA's investigation will proceed smoothly.
At the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, which is controlled by the Russian military, a series of shelling has damaged some facilities, raising concerns that it could lead to a serious accident.
On August 31, a team of IAEA experts in Ukraine arrived in the city of Zaporizhia, about 60 kilometers from the nuclear power plant, to conduct this investigation.
Speaking to reporters in Zaporizhia, IAEA Director-General Grossi revealed that the investigation of the nuclear power plant will begin on the 1st and will continue for several days. And I also need to talk to the employees," he said.
After that, he said, "We aim to make the IAEA permanent," and indicated that he would make adjustments to create a system that can always grasp the local situation.
Regarding this, Russia's IAEA Ambassador to Vienna, Ulyanov, said, "Russia welcomes it," and indicated the possibility of accepting it.
On the other hand, regarding the bombardment of the nuclear power plant and its surroundings, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on the 31st that "the Ukrainian military continued provocations on the 30th with the aim of interfering with the IAEA's mission, and there was an artillery bombardment on the site of the nuclear power plant." It seems that the fighting continues.
It has also been pointed out that the Russian military is pressuring the employees of the nuclear power plant not to talk about the troops stationed on the premises, and the focus is on whether the IAEA investigation will proceed smoothly.
Meanwhile, fighting continues in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have embarked on a new offensive in Russian-occupied areas of southern Kherson Oblast.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on the 31st that the Ukrainian offensive had failed. More than 1,700 Ukrainian soldiers were killed. We are going backwards,” he analyzes.
In response to the Ukrainian military's offensive, it has been pointed out that the Russian military is reorganizing and integrating its troops and is working to strengthen the defense of the south, and the offense and defense in the south is expected to become even more intense.
Ukrainian Odesa "Historic Center" to be registered as a World Heritage Site
UNESCO = The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has announced that it has been informed by the Ukrainian government of its policy to apply for registration of the "Historic Center" of Odesa, a port city in southern Ukraine, as a World Heritage Site. We are committed to protecting the
UNESCO said the policy was communicated to Director-General Azoulay at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, by Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Tkachenko on August 30.
The "Historic Center" of Odesa is only a few dozen kilometers from the front line where the fighting with the invading Russian army is taking place. Part of the roof of the museum was destroyed.
In response to the policy of the Ukrainian government, UNESCO dispatched experts to provide technical assistance to Ukraine so that the application for registration could be urgently advanced. It is committed to the protection of cultural properties in Ukraine, which are currently in use.