Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: Ukraine and Russia blame each other for shelling

Russian defence ministry said Ukrainian forces on Sunday shelled ZNPP four times using large-calibre artillery, while the Ukrainians accused the Russians of shelling the facility twice. Both sides also accused each other of planning to stage a provocation at the plant.ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Russian and Ukrainian forces traded accusations on Sunday of shelling Europe’s biggest nuclear power plant, heightening fears of a radiation disaster a day after a U.N. team finally gained access to inspect the facility. The finger-pointing followed a visit to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who on Saturday said the plant had been damaged in the fighting but its main safety systems were intact. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said the physical integrity of the plant had been violated, without assigning blame. The IAEA team plans to release a report on their findings in the coming days, after its inspectors returned to Kyiv on Sunday, according to officials. Russian defence ministry said Ukrainian forces on Sunday shelled ZNPP four times using large-calibre artillery, while the Ukrainians accused the Russians of shelling the facility twice, including using Uragan multiple rocket launchers. Both sides also accused each other of planning to stage a provocation at the plant. Reuters was not able to independently verify the claims. Russia and Ukraine have repeatedly accused each other of shelling the plant, which is located in the Russian-controlled town of Enerhodar on the south bank of a vast reservoir on the Dnipro River. The plant was captured by Russian forces in March, and has been a source of concern ever since because of the risk of a radiation leak. The IAEA said after its visit that the plant’s physical integrity had been violated, but it was not able to say by which side. Grossi said IAEA inspectors had found damage to some buildings and equipment at the plant, but the essential safety systems were intact. The IAEA team was able to inspect two of the plant’s six reactors, as well as the spent fuel storage facility, the control room and the emergency diesel generators. .