The chief of the UN's nuclear watchdog warned on Monday that the Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine is coming dangerously close to a nuclear incident amid continuing attacks.
Drones attacked Zaporizhzhia, Europe's biggest nuclear power plant, on Sunday, hitting a reactor building in the worst such incident since November 2022.
“We must not allow complacency to let a role of the dice decide what happens tomorrow,” Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told the UN Security Council.
The risk of a major accident is possible, even though the reactors are turned off, he said.
Russian forces have maintained control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
The centre has been inactive since that same year because of shelling. The plant has experienced drone strikes that started on April 7.
Both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of the attacks.
“These reckless attacks must cease immediately,” Mr Grossi said.
“Though, fortunately, they have not led to a radiological incident this time, they significantly increase the risk at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, where nuclear safety is already compromised."
The IAEA has staff at five Ukrainian nuclear centres to oversee safety and security amid the Russian occupation, including Zaporizhzhia, which enables the agency to investigate and report on events.
Mr Grossi said the attack “sets a very dangerous precedent” because the reactor confinement structure was hit.
Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya told the council Moscow has never used heavy weapons at the nuclear power plant or launched attacks from its territory.
Meanwhile, he said, Ukraine has intensified attacks on the plant over the last few months and Russia has been informing the IAEA.
Mr Nebenzya called on the UN nuclear agency to reveal the source of attacks on the plant, insisting that it is not a political matter but an issue of nuclear security.
IAEA chief issues warning on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant - video
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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THE SPECS
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