IAEA BoG Passes Resolution Calling On Russia To Vacate Zaporizhzhia

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors has passed a resolution calling on Russia to end its occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine. The resolution passed with 26 votes in favour and with Russia and China voting to oppose the resolution.

• The EU released a statement ahead of the BoG's meeting: "Russia’s actions pose serious and direct threats to the safety and security of Ukrainian nuclear facilities, and they have impeded the [IAEA] from fully and safely conducting safeguards verification activities in Ukraine."
• Cont: "Attacks of the Russian armed forces at and near Ukraine’s nuclear facilities have caused human suffering and damage to civilian infrastructure, and they significantly increase the risk of a nuclear incident or accident..."
• The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest in Europe and is currently under Russian occupation but staffed by Ukrainian technicians. There has been an elevated risk of nuclear accident this week as Russia has allegedly sought to target civilian infrastructure, including the power grid, in retaliation to the recent Ukrainian counteroffensive which liberated large swathes of occupied territory in Kharkiv Oblast.