Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, atomic agency chief discuss nuclear plant fears

The UN’s atomic energy chief warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a meeting on Monday that the perilous situation at Europe’s largest nuclear plant “isn’t getting any better” as relentless fighting in the area keeps the facility at risk of a disaster.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s six reactors are in shutdown and it is receiving the electricity it needs to prevent a reactor meltdown through just one remaining power line. It has on occasion had to switch to emergency diesel generators to power its essential cooling systems.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi plans to visit the Russian-held plant this week.