IAEA: "Missile Flew Directly Over Ukraine Nuclear Plant... Investigation Launched"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently announced that it has launched an investigation into a very dangerous situation threatening nuclear power plant safety during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including missiles flying directly over nuclear power plants in Ukraine.

According to the Associated Press on the 28th (local time), Rafael Grossi, IAEA Director General, said at a press conference held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria, "We have received reports that missiles flew directly over the Mykolaiv Yuzhnoukrainsk Nuclear Power Plant, located about 350 km south of Kyiv, Ukraine," adding, "Had the missile missed and hit the nuclear power plant, it could have seriously affected the integrity of the plant and led to a nuclear accident."

He continued, "The IAEA is investigating this issue. If this report is true, the problem will become very serious." Director General Grossi did not directly name the party that launched the missile. However, Ukrainian authorities have previously condemned Russia for directly firing rockets over the nuclear power plant.

Earlier, after visiting the Chernobyl nuclear accident site on the 26th, Grossi said at a press conference, "It can be said that radiation levels were abnormal," and "During the Russian military occupation, heavy equipment was used, causing the levels to rise to very dangerous levels." It is currently reported that radiation levels at Chernobyl have returned to normal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.