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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...

A pro-Russian propaganda channel has issued a story claiming the country's troops have been 'poisoned in a chemical attack in Ukraine'. The information, regarded as suspect, comes amid fears Russia is looking for reasons to justify using chemical weapons in its invasion of its southern neighbor. Russia Today reports traces of Botulinum toxin Type B, which is an 'organic poison of artificial origin,' were found in samples taken from soldiers, according to Russia's defense ministry. The ministry accused Kiev of 'domestic terrorism' and insisted Russian troops were 'hospitalized with signs of severe poisoning' after being stationed near the village of...

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...

In case you missed earlier installments of this story, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is in territory controlled by Russia; however, the Ukrainian energy company, Energoatom, is still operating the plant. There have been reports that Russia is using the site to launch artillery attacks on the Ukrainian front lines, knowing the Ukrainians don’t dare fire back for fear of damaging the reactor.Earlier this month there was a report from Energoatom claiming that Major General Valerii Vasyliev, the Russian in charge of the surrounding area, had mined the facility and was threatening to blow it up rather than leave. He was...