Recently, Ukraine and Russia have alternately accused each other of planning an attack on the Zaporizhzhzhia nuclear power plant.

In light of the accusations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is now calling for increased access to the plant for its observers.

IAEA experts have been inspecting parts of the plant in recent weeks. However, they have not had access to the roof structure of reactors 3 and 4 as well as parts of the turbine halls and the cooling system.

In a statement, the IAEA, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, says the agency needs increased access to Zaporizhzhzhia to confirm that no explosives have been placed at the plant.

”With growing military tensions and activities in the region where this large nuclear power plant is located, our experts need to be able to account for the actual situation on the ground,” says Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, there have been concerns about the safety of the Zaporizhzhzhia power plant.

Shortly after the invasion, Russian soldiers occupied the plant.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is ”preparing dangerous provocations at the Zaporizhzhzhia power plant.”

In a statement, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry subsequently asked for the international community to take action.

The ministry referred to the fact that Russia has deployed soldiers at the plant. And that it has allegedly placed explosives at the site.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry pointed out that all of this increases the risk of an accident at the plant, which is Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

At the same time as Ukraine’s accusations, the Russian government made allegations of Ukrainian plans to attack Zaporizhzhzhia.

The Zaporizhzhzhia plant is located in southern Ukraine.