Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed the occupied Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia under Russian administration. Putin signed a similar decree in Moscow on Wednesday. Russian forces have occupied Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine since March. However, it is currently operated by Ukrainian technicians.
“The government has been instructed to ensure that objects for the use of nuclear energy from the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant and other property necessary for its operation are transferred to state ownership,” reads the decree published on Wednesday.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency is on his way to Kyiv
Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, said via Twitter that he was on his way to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, “for important meetings.” “The need for a protection zone around the power plant is more urgent than ever.” The International Atomic Energy Agency announced on Tuesday that Grossi will travel to Kyiv and then to Moscow this week to continue consultations on the establishment of a security zone around the nuclear power plant.
On Friday, Russian forces arrested the head of the nuclear power plant Ihor Murashov. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is on site with several experts, he is now back with his family.
The facility has come under frequent fire in recent weeks, with Moscow and Kiev blaming each other. The bombing and fighting near the nuclear power plant raised fears of a nuclear catastrophe.
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