Ukraine Condemns IAEA Staff Rotation Through Russian-Held Territory at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry criticizes the UN nuclear watchdog for violating its sovereignty by conducting staff rotations via Russian-occupied areas, citing safety and legal concerns.

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rotated staff at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) through territory controlled by Russia, drawing sharp criticism from Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Foreign Ministry labeled the move a breach of sovereignty and accused Russia of blackmailing international organizations into accepting illegal operational mechanisms.
• The IAEA mission had been delayed for weeks due to military activity near the plant, with both Ukraine and Russia blaming each other for the delays.
• Ukraine claims it repeatedly offered safe and legal routes for the rotation through government-controlled areas, which Russia allegedly refused to guarantee.
• The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, has been under Russian control since 2022, and Ukraine has called for its return to Ukrainian authority to ensure nuclear safety.

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Ukrinform South China Morning Post