KYIV: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday decried as"very, very dangerous" Russia's temporary occupation of the Chornobyl nuclear power station and offered to help Ukraine repair damage caused to the stricken plant.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced Russian behaviour at the site and said Moscow had shown total disregard for nuclear safety on the anniversary by sending rockets over Chornobyl and two other functioning nuclear power stations. "The situation was absolutely abnormal and very, very dangerous," Grossi told reporters outside the station 140 km north of Kyiv.
Ukrainian officials earlier complained the troops had pulled heavy equipment through the zone, disturbing contaminated territory and sending up radioactive dust. The troops for a time prevented staff from leaving the station, where they oversee large amounts of spent fuel and other radioactive materials.