“We can’t have problematic cross-pollination with the station in safety-related areas. We are aware of allegations that ammunition was stored at the station, that there are attacks on the power plant, ”he said in an interview.

“Honestly, if I don’t have access, I can’t tell. There are contradictions between the narratives of the Russian and Ukrainian sides. I receive information, I mention it in my operational reports, but I have no way to determine whether it is true, ”he added.

Russian-appointed official in Ukraine said today that Ukrainian forces have repeatedly used Western weapons to attack the nuclear power plant, which operates two of the six reactors, and have received repeated warnings from Ukraine, the West and Russia.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday called Russia’s actions around the station “the height of irresponsibility” and accused Moscow of using it as a “nuclear shield” in attacks on Ukrainian forces.

Reuters reports that it is unable to confirm both sides’ reports from the battlefields.

Grossi said UN talks with the parties to the conflict are about a proposed agreement on safety zones around nuclear plants, but he does not see readiness to reach an agreement at this stage.

According to Grossi, access to the station is difficult, and travel to it through the occupied territory will require special security measures. Negotiations are underway with the Ukrainian government on the organization of the visit. The IAEA periodically reports that it is losing contact with the nuclear material control systems at the power plant.

Source: Reuters, APE-MPE.