'A more dangerous phase' -Grossi on increased military at Ukraine nuclear plant

Record ID: 1717761

  • Title: 'A more dangerous phase' -Grossi on increased military at Ukraine nuclear plant
  • Date: 29th March 2023
  • Summary: DNIPRO, UKRAINE (MARCH 29, 2023)(REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF, RAFAEL GROSSI, SAYING: “The increased military activity, which I was referring to on the basis of the information I had before going is obvious in terms of military presence signs, visible signs of damage and destruction before you get to the place. So, it is obvious that this area is facing a perhaps a more dangerous phase in terms of the ongoing conflict. Which confirmed one of my assumptions in the sense that we have to step up our efforts to get to some agreement on the protection of the plant.” WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF, RAFAEL GROSSI, SAYING: “So, for me this visit was really very valuable. To confirm my evaluation of the seriousness of the situation, the gravity, I would say, of the situation and the need for us to get to results as soon as possible.“ WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF, RAFAEL GROSSI, SAYING: “I was able to make an assessment of the damage that the plant sustained, especially the attacks and the shelling on November 20th, which was quite severe. So that was, for me, quite important to have a look at that. These affected two reactors. So that is, wittingly or unwittingly, reactors were hit or the buildings of the reactors were hit or in the vicinity. So, this is very serious. This is very serious.” WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE)(English) U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG CHIEF, RAFAEL GROSSI, SAYING: “So in this regard, I think it is it was very important and it will be also important in my conversations, my consultations, my negotiations, because I have seen it with my own eyes. I, of course, have my teams here and they report to me regularly and they will continue. We were able to change the teams. There is a new team now there which will continue its work. So that was for me very, very important.“
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2023 21:42
  • Keywords: DNIPRO IAEA MEASURES NUCLEAR PLANT RAFAEL GROSSI RUSSIA UKRAINE UN WAR ZAPORIZHZHIA
  • Location: DNIPRO, UKRAINE
  • City: DNIPRO, UKRAINE
  • Country: Ukraine
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Europe,Military Conflicts
  • Reuters ID: LVA001135129032023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Ukraine's embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant faced "a perhaps a more dangerous phase", the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday (March 29) after seeing increased military activity and damage to the surrounding area during a visiting the site.
    Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, added working out an agreement on the protection of the plant has to be stepped up.
    Grossi had been pushing for a demilitarised zone at the Russian-held power station, Europe's largest nuclear facility, which has come under repeated shelling.
    On Wednesday he also said he was putting aside this plan so he could propose specific protection measures acceptable to both Moscow and Kyiv.
    The IAEA head did not name specific safety measures that could be proposed. Russia said in February that it was close to completing construction of protective structures for key parts of Zaporizhzhia, including storage of radioactive materials.
    (Production: Mykhailo Moskalenko, Chiara Rodriquez)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2023. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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