Today’s scheduled rotation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team currently based at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) was cancelled as a result of intense military activity in the region, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

Despite written assurances received from both sides that the planned rotation could take place safely, the situation proved to be too dangerous for the teams to continue and the mission was aborted.

“I deeply regret today’s cancellation of the carefully prepared and agreed rotation of our staff, who are carrying out vital work in very challenging circumstances to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict. It is completely unacceptable that the safety of our staff is jeopardised in this way,” Director General Grossi said.

“As a result of these extremely concerning events, I am in active consultation with both sides to guarantee the safety of our teams and to secure the continued presence of the IAEA at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant to enable our staff to continue their indispensable mission, helping to maintain nuclear safety and security,” he said.