ENERHODAR (Sputnik) - The specialists of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stationed at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant are maintaining contact and discussing issues of the plant's safety and operation with the authorities of the city of Enerhodar, Alexander Volga, the head of Enerhodar's administration, has told Sputnik.
"There is contact with IAEA staff, who are on the territory of the plant. We are discussing only working issues related to the safety and operation of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, as well as the work of the administration to ensure the life-activity of the city and citizens who live here," Volga said.
Volga added that a breakthrough by Ukrainian troops to the Zaporozhye NPP and Enerhodar is impossible as the Russian military has full control of the situation.
"Regarding the Ukrainian fighters' breakthrough into the city of Enerhodar in the direction of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant and all the infrastructure, which surrounds the nuclear power plant - we consider this situation is impossible," Volga said.
He added that any offensive actions will be complicated by the presence of a water barrier near the plant.
Located on the left bank of the Dnieper River, the Zaporozhye NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe in terms of the number of units and output. During the military operation in Ukraine, launched by Russia on February 24, the nuclear plant and surrounding area went under the control of Russian forces and has since been targeted by Ukrainian troops multiple times, though Kiev has blamed the attacks on Moscow.
An international mission led by the IAEA visited the Zaporozhye NPP from August 31 to September 3. As a result of the visit, the agency issued a report on the situation at the facility and called on all sides of the conflict to end the shelling of the plant and establish a safety zone around it.
