**Russia-Ukraine War: Moscow Accuses Kyiv of Nuclear Terrorism at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant**
* Moscow alleges that Ukraine attacked the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with drones, causing a fire and radiation leak.
* Kyiv denies the accusations and claims that Russia is shelling the plant to discredit Ukraine and force an evacuation of the area.
* The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is planning a mission to the plant to assess the situation and ensure nuclear safety.
**Accusations and Denials**
A series of explosions and a subsequent fire at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Saturday, August 20, have escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia’s Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack using drones, claiming that one of them hit a building housing fresh nuclear fuel and caused a fire and a release of radiation.
In response, Ukraine’s state nuclear company, Energoatom, denied the accusations and stated that the attacks were conducted by Russian forces to discredit Ukraine and force an evacuation of the plant and its surrounding area.
**International Concern and IAEA Mission**
The attacks have raised international concern, with the United Nations and the IAEA calling for an end to hostilities near the nuclear facility.
The IAEA has announced that it plans to send a mission to the Zaporizhzhia plant to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the facility and its operations.
The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, has expressed his concern about the situation and emphasized the need for an urgent visit to the plant by IAEA experts.
**Background**
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It has been under Russian control since the early stages of the invasion of Ukraine.
In recent weeks, the plant has been the subject of intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces, which has raised concerns about the potential for a nuclear accident.
**Implications**
The accusations and counter-accusations surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant have further escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine and highlighted the potential risks of the ongoing conflict.
The IAEA’s mission is crucial in assessing the situation and ensuring the safety of the plant and its surroundings. The international community remains hopeful that the mission will be able to de-escalate the situation and prevent further conflict near the nuclear facility..
