UN inspectors, together with 14 experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency, arrived at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant on Thursday, despite the fact that its surroundings were bombed. The head of the fact-finding mission, Rafael Grossi, announced on Twitter that he and his team were able to see the most important things in the plant and that the team of experts discovered a number of problems on the site. What can we expect from the investigation mission? How did the Black Sea grains initiative progress?
The Director of the Czech Office of the United Nations, Michal Proca, sees the disarmament of the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant as a priority Photo: Karolina Naumkova | Source: Czech Radio
According to its head Grossi, the inspection at the Zaporizhia Power Plant could lead to a permanent mission of the IAEA. “Both sides, the Ukrainian side and the Russian Federation side, must provide sufficient guarantees so that international experts can operate safely on the ground,” explains Michal Procha, Director of the Czech UN Office.
Listen to the whole character of Lucie Vopálenská. The guest is Michel Broza, Director of the Czech Office of the United Nations
According to him, it is currently impossible to find out who bombed the power plant during the inspection in the past days, since no experts from the United Nations or the International Atomic Energy Agency came to Zaporizhia with a political mandate.
“The United Nations did not come to the Zaporizhia Power Plant as a judge. When the appropriate collection of evidence, on which the United Nations is working, is done, the necessary judicial and investigative mechanisms will be involved.
The members of the mission at the power plant did not collect evidence or investigate the circumstances, but rather came with one goal: to ensure the safe operation and supervision of the operation of the nuclear facility.”
Investigation in Olenivka
The United Nations is also currently investigating the Olinevka tragedy, in which dozens of Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russians, including soldiers of the Azov Regiment, died in prison. The Ukrainian side is trying to investigate the fire, while the Russians say that a part of the HIMARS missile was found at the site.
“At this moment it is important that the situation in global markets calms down.”
Michel Broza
“A three-member investigative team has been set up within the United Nations, headed by an experienced retired general from Brazil Cruz, who is a veteran of several UN missions,” Broca says. However, he draws attention to the fact that so far only negotiations are underway with both parties, which would allow investigators safe access.
The United Nations must objectively assess what happened on the ground and gather sufficient evidence of the tragedy. According to satellite images, it appears that the Russian version, that is, a HIMARS missile attack, is highly unlikely, as CNN reported some time ago. Only one building appears to have been destroyed, not its surroundings. So it looks more like an explosion and a subsequent fire inside.
“Until the United Nations verifies the information we are able and willing to give the world, we will not release it.” brooch.
Grain ships leave Ukraine
The Black Sea grain initiative, organized by the United Nations with Turkey, is supposed to allow the export of grain located in Ukrainian ports. And after yesterday, 69 ships have left the ports so far, but in full operation, the cargo volume is expected from 2 to five million tons of cargo within one month.
Dana Drapova: We cannot rule out a nuclear accident in Zaporizhia, but the probability is slim
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In addition, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is also active in Ukraine, supporting vulnerable farmers and helping Ukraine increase storage capacity by up to 25 percent over current capacity.
“At this moment, it is important that the situation calms down on world markets. I think a signal has been sent, thanks to which there has been some stabilization of the sharp rise in food prices.
At the same time, the World Food Program purchased two cargo ships to bring grain to the hardest-hit regions of the world. One of them has already docked in Djibouti and is unloading the wheat cargo for Ethiopia, while the other ship is heading to Yemen.”
Listen to the full Personality Plus audio recording. Hosted by Lucie Vopálenská.
