"I've said many times that you are playing with fire": IAEA Director General's Call

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has called for an immediate cessation of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This information has been reported by the agency's website.

On November 20, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Ukrainian forces had fired more than 20 large-caliber artillery shells towards the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant over the past two days.

“The news from our personnel (IAEA experts are on site at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant) has been extremely concerning. Explosions are occurring in the vicinity of this large nuclear power plant, which is completely unacceptable. Those behind all this must cease shelling immediately. I have said many times that you are playing with fire,” Grossi stated.

According to IAEA data, several buildings at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have been damaged, but they do not currently pose a threat to nuclear safety. The agency's experts, who are currently at the site, reported that they noticed explosions even from their windows.

IAEA Director Rafael Grossi has again appealed to the leadership of Russia and Ukraine, urging them to reach an agreement as soon as possible and establish a nuclear safety zone around the power plant and its surrounding area.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, near Enerhodar. It is the largest and most powerful nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of the number of reactors. Since March, it has been under the protection of Russian military forces. Ukrainian military units continue to regularly shell Enerhodar, the surrounding villages, and the areas adjacent to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.