The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has sent some of its experts on a permanent mission to the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant, located in the Mykolaïv region, in southern Ukraine. The power station is located approximately 250 km west of the Zaporizhzhia plant. Russia protests, arguing that the agency has "no statutory or technological capacity to prevent a nuclear catastrophe in the event of an attack".

"The IAEA flag is now flying over the Pivdennoukrainsk (nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine). We are here to stay and help ensure nuclear safety". "Soon we will be permanently present in all Ukrainian nuclear plants", IAEA General Director, Rafael Grossi, wrote in a tweet.

Meanwhile around the Zaporizhzhia plant "the situation continues to be very, very dangerous". "A nuclear accident with serious consequences on radioactivity is in nobody's interest". "I'm trying to convince everyone that it's not a military advantage for one side or the other". "It's about preventing a nuclear accident", Grossi said during a visit to Ukraine.