Russia Ukraine War: Russia urges IAEA to clarify on Zaporizhzhia report

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that Russia sought additional clarification from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on parts of its report on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. 

The IAEA called on Tuesday to stop shelling near the power station and establish a security zone around the plant

The plant has been controlled by Russian forces since March, but is still operated by Ukrainian employees and is connected to the Ukrainian power grid. Both Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of firing missiles at the power station, raising fears of a Chernobyl-style nuclear disaster.

Lavrov told Interfax news agency that Moscow needed more information about the IAEA's findings and had sent a request to provide additional information. 

Interfax, citing Lavrov, said additional clarification was needed because the report contained several issues. I will not list them now, but we have requested the Director General of IAEA for clarification.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the West of pressuring the IAEA mission at the plant. 

The RIA Novosti news agency quoted Zakharova as saying that Russia had provided the IIA with full data on the source of the shelling and why the organization did not name Ukraine in its report as the source of the attacks on the nuclear power plant. It also said that Ukraine was coordinating its attacks with the help of the United States and other Western states. 

Ukraine denies attacking the plant and accuses Moscow of having heavy weapons at the nuclear power station, a claim Russia has denied.