Global nuclear chief emerges from Ukrainian plant after Russian shelling forces reactor shutdown

An international team of experts began an inspection Thursday of Ukraine's embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, hoping to avert catastrophe amid intense fighting for control of the region.

The International Atomic Energy Agency team led by director Rafael Grossi entered the plant shortly after shelling by Russian occupation troops forced shutdown of a reactor, Ukrainian authorities said. A backup power line also was damaged, Ukraine energy company Enerhoatom said in a statement.

Hours later, Grassi emerged from the plant, saying operators, "despite the very difficult circumstances," were conducting themselves professionally. 

"We were able in a few hours to gather a lot of information," he said. "The key things I needed to see I saw, the explanations were very clear."

Some members of the team were expected to leave as soon as late Thursday. The IAEA officials have said they hope to report on findings within days of the visit.

Russia's military has occupied much of the region for months, but Ukrainian workers continue to operate the plant, Europe's largest. U.N. and IAEA officials have sought for weeks to gain access, warning that rocket fire in the hotly contested Zaporizhhzia region could trigger catastrophe.

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Each side repeatedly blames the other for the shelling. Missile strikes are an almost daily occurrence, and minor damage is frequently reported.

The plant was briefly knocked completely offline last week because of a transmission line fire, further raising safety concerns.

Ukraine Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said his government expects the IAEA mission will result in an end of the Russian occupation of the nuclear plant, its return to full control of Ukraine and the demilitarization of the surrounding territory.

On Thursday, Russia's Defense Ministry said a force of about 60 Ukrainian troops attempted to retake the plant but were driven back. Some Ukrainian shells landed less than 500 yards from one of the plant's reactors. There was no immediate response to the report from Ukrainian officials, but they did accuse Russian forces of shelling a corridor that the IAEA team was to use.

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The team ultimately did clear checkpoints to reach the site. 

"I am going to consider the possibility of establishing a continued presence of the IAEA at the plant, which we believe is indispensable to stabilize the situation and to get regular, reliable, impartial, neutral updates of what the situation is there,” Grossi said.