Vienna, 20 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Russian occupiers of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhya have once again laid mines around the facility, the latest situation report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna revealed on Friday.

Explosive devices are located between the inner and outer fences around the nuclear power plant near the front line, the report said.

Mines were removed there in November. The new mines are "incompatible" with safety standards, criticized IAEA chief Rafael Grossi.

He also warned that the Russian management of the nuclear power plant would probably not carry out comprehensive maintenance on the facility this year.

A work plan was presented to the permanent IAEA observers on site last week, but the nuclear agency believes it is flawed. "This maintenance must be carried out in order to guarantee nuclear safety," Grossi demanded.

Part of the emergency power system failed for eight hours on Thursday, the IAEA said.

Although the actual power supply for cooling the radiating material was not interrupted during this time, Grossi once again expressed concern about the lack of reliability of the safety systems designed to prevent a nuclear accident.

Photo: MIA archive