Free Republic

Uncertainty hangs over the planned visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant by a team from the UN nuclear watchdog, as inspectors arrived in Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia city on Wednesday, where they are likely to spend the night before crossing the frontline. The International Atomic Energy Agency mission into Russian-controlled territory, which comprises representatives from countries deemed neutral by both sides, was reportedly intended to last four days. But on Wednesday, the Russian-occupying authorities said the IAEA would be given access for one day. They also said the mission would be expected to join the queue of civilians who cross back and...

KYIV, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Ukraine's Energoatom state nuclear company said on Friday Russian forces planned to switch off the functioning power blocks at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and to disconnect them from the Ukrainian power grid. In a statement, Energoatom said it believed Russia, which controls the power plant in southern Ukraine, was preparing to conduct a "large-scale provocation" there. Moscow itself accused Kyiv of preparing a "provocation" at the site on Thursday. (clip) Turning the plant off would pile new pressure on Ukrainian supplies, particularly in the south. Ukraine is already bracing for its most difficult winter...

Russian president Vladimir Putin and France’s Emmanuel Macron have agreed to push ahead with an urgent safety mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, Europe’s largest, which both sides in the war say is at risk from the fighting around it.A senior French official said Putin had agreed in a call with Macron on Friday that the IAEA inspectors could visit from Ukrainian-held territory — as demanded by Kyiv — and would not be obliged to access the power station from the zone invaded and controlled by Russian forces, although the Kremlin...