Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of trying to spoil the mission
A UN team arrives at the Zaporizhia station to assess the risks of a radiological disaster
Convoy of IAEA experts' mission arrives at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Reuters
A team of United Nations experts arrived at the Ukrainian nuclear plant complex in Zaporozhye yesterday to assess the risks of a radiological disaster, after a delay of several hours, due to bombing near the site.
Russia and Ukraine earlier accused each other of trying to sabotage the International Atomic Energy Agency's mission to the plant in south-central Ukraine, which is controlled by Russian forces but operated by Ukrainians.
Conditions at the nuclear plant, Europe's largest, have been deteriorating for weeks, with Moscow and Kiev occasionally blaming each other for bombings in the vicinity, fueling fears of a Chernobyl-style radiological disaster.
A Reuters reporter saw the IAEA team arriving in a large convoy amid a heavy presence of Russian forces close to the place.
A Ukrainian source familiar with the situation said that the mission "may be shorter than planned."
Ukraine's state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, said the Russian bombing had shut down only one of two reactors operating at the site, while Moscow said it had thwarted a Ukrainian attempt to seize the plant.
A Reuters reporter in the nearby Russian-controlled town of Enerhodar said that an apartment building was hit by shelling, forcing people to take cover in a basement.
It was not possible to determine who bombed the building.
At least three people were killed and five wounded, the Russian-installed governor of the Zaporizhia region, Yevgeny Palitsky, said, in what he said was Ukrainian shelling of Enerhodar, which also destroyed three kindergartens and a culture house.
He added that the electricity was cut off to the town in the morning.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow is doing its best to ensure the station is operated safely, and that the International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors can complete their tasks.
Agency chief Rafael Grossi told reporters early yesterday from the city of Zaporizhia, 55 kilometers from the station, that he was aware of "increased military activity in the area", but that he would go ahead with his plan to visit the facility and meet with its employees.
Later, after the delegation's arrival, Grossi confirmed that some experts would remain at the Zaporizhia station after the expedition's work.
The agency's inspectors, wearing flak jackets and traveling in white armored Land Cruisers with UN markings on their sides, were stopped at the first checkpoint outside the city, following reports of the bombing.
Russia accused Ukrainian forces of trying to seize the nuclear plant, as well as of bombing the meeting point of the International Atomic Energy Agency delegation and the plant itself.
The Russian Defense Ministry said up to 60 Ukrainian soldiers had crossed the Dnipro River, which separates the territories under each side's control, in what it said was a "provocation" aimed at impeding the visit of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The ministry added that "measures were taken" to eliminate hostile forces, including the use of military aviation.
Russian local official Vladimir Rogov later said that "about 40" of these Ukrainian soldiers were killed.
He added that Russian forces captured three Ukrainian soldiers during the attack on the station.
Ukrainian officials welcomed the agency's team's visit and hoped it would lead to disarmament at the station.
They say that Russia is using the station as a shield to bomb the towns, knowing that it will be difficult for Kyiv's forces to respond to the bombing.
They also accused Russian forces of targeting the station, which Russian officials denied.
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