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A Russian soldier stands guard in front of the nuclear power plant
Photo: ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKO / REUTERS
Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have arrived at the Russian-held Zaporizhia NPP.
Previously, they had been held up by new skirmishes.
Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of endangering the mission with the shelling.
It is the first time since the start of the Russian war of aggression that a team of international experts has gained access to the nuclear power plant.
Ukraine reported Russian rocket fire on the town of Enerhodar, near the power plant, in the morning.
Mayor Dmytro Orlov announced via Telegram that his city had been under grenade and rocket fire since dusk.
Mikhailo Podoliak, adviser to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, wrote on Twitter that the Russian attack would be further "proof" of how seriously intermediaries can take guarantees from Moscow and how great Russia's interest in inspecting the power plant really is.
The other side, on the other hand, spoke of an attempt by Kiev to take over the power plant.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, "two sabotage groups with up to 60 people" tried to take control of the power plant.
This attempt was foiled and three Ukrainian soldiers were taken prisoner.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is doing everything possible to ensure that the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant can operate safely and that the inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency can carry out their duties.
According to the Ukrainian operator Energoatom, one of the two reactors still in operation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has been shut down.
The emergency system was activated after mortar fire and reactor number 5 was shut down.
Reactor number 6 continues to produce electricity that the nuclear power plant needs for its own operation.
The IAEA delegation had continued on its way towards the nuclear power plant after a forced break.
Because of the new hostilities, she was detained for three hours by the Ukrainian side.
The Reuters news agency reports that IAEA chief Rafael Grossi had previously negotiated personally with the Ukrainian military so that the inspection could take place near the power plant despite the shelling.
When leaving in the morning, Grossi emphasized that he was aware of the dangers.
But the mission is too important to call off at the last moment.
According to the IAEA and the Ukrainian nuclear agency, which operates the power plant, the team arrived in Zaporizhia around 2:15 p.m. local time.
The power plant had been shelled just an hour earlier, Energoatom reported.
In total, Grossi has 13 experts at his side.
They want to talk to the operating staff and inspect the power plant site.
The workforce is mostly Ukrainian.
Grossi announced that some experts will remain stationed in Zaporizhia for a longer period of time.
After lengthy negotiations – and under international pressure – the IAEA mission was finally approved a few days ago.
According to the Russian crew, it should last only one day.
In recent weeks, Kyiv and Moscow have repeatedly blamed each other for the shelling of Europe's largest nuclear power plant.
svs/dpa/Reuters
