The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution demanding that Russia stop its occupation of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine and withdraw troops from its territory. It is reported by Reuters, citing sources.
The council expressed regret that Russian forces, as well as Rosatom personnel, are still present at the ZNPP.
The resolution was opposed by Russia and China. 26 council countries supported the document, seven states abstained from voting (Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Burundi, Vietnam, India and Pakistan). This is the second such resolution, both documents were proposed by Canada and Poland on behalf of Ukraine, the agency notes.
In the text of the resolution, the board calls on Russia to "immediately cease all actions in relation to the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and any other nuclear facilities in Ukraine." The occupation of the station by Russia significantly increases the risk of a nuclear accident, the authors of the resolution stressed. According to the document, now the Ukrainian personnel and the station continue to operate in conditions that the IAEA described as threatening security.
On September 6, the IAEA published a report on the state of the station after completing the inspection at the ZNPP. It states that all seven nuclear safety rules have been violated at the ZNPP and there is a risk of a "nuclear incident" if the shelling does not stop. Experts argue that an unprecedented situation has developed in Ukraine: for the first time, a military conflict is taking place at the facilities of a major operating nuclear energy program.