U.N. inspection team arrives at threatened Ukraine nuclear plant in war zone
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
Day 191 Roundup: Physical Integrity of Nuclear Power Plant 'Violated Several Times,' IAEA Head Says as Inspections Continue
Image copyright: AP Photos [via AP News]
The Facts
After a long-anticipated visit from a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Russia-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine, IAEA head Rafael Grossi said: "It is obvious that the plant and physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times." He also added that he remains worried about the safety of the facility.
Grossi said his 14-member team were able to tour the plant for four or five hours on Thurs., and explained that a number of them would stay at the facility "until Sunday or Monday, continuing with the assessment." Russian media later confirmed that eight inspectors from the IAEA remained at the ZNPP, with four additional support staff accompanying them. Additional reports suggested that two members of the delegation might remain on a permanent basis, a move that is supported by Russia.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia will make every effort to distort and manipulate what inspectors from the IAEA are able to see. This is a staged inspection and, under these circumstances, the IAEA will not be able to produce a truly independent assessment of the situation. As such, any report should be treated with skepticism.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has done everything in its power to facilitate the visit of IAEA inspectors, including securing their safety amid Ukrainian shelling. Furthermore, Russia insisted on ballistics experts as part of the mission. Soon enough, the world will know who's truly responsible for endangering the nuclear facility.