Doha: Ukraine accused Russia of “undermining the authority and independence” of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), whose experts monitor the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry sent a note of protest to the International Atomic Energy Agency over the restrictions imposed on its mission to monitor the plant. The protest followed the arrival of a new IAEA team, which travelled for the first time during the ongoing conflict through Russian-controlled territory, as reported by Russian state media.

Kyiv expressed opposition to the entry of UN experts through Russian-occupied territory, asserting that such actions would legitimize Moscow’s false claims to sovereignty over the area. The note emphasized the urgency of halting what it termed as Russian nuclear blackmail, arguing that returning the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine would facilitate genuine IAEA monitoring and ensure nuclear safety across Europe.

Russian forces took control of the station nearly three years ago, shortly after the conflict in Ukraine began. While the plant is no longer generating energy and remains largely non-operational, safety risks persist.