The Foreign Ministry condemned Kiev's attack on IAEA experts during their visit to Zaporizhzhya NPP

The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemns Kiev's attack on experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) secretariat during their visit to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. This is stated in a statement published on December 11 on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

At around 15:00 Moscow time, an IAEA vehicle used to transport the experts was attacked on Kiev-controlled territory, and as early as 16:37 Moscow time, Ukraine struck a Russian convoy that was returning after delivering the agency's staff to the line of contact.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms these actions of the Kiev regime, which has believed in its impunity," the statement reads.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed to the Ukrainian authorities' complete disregard for humanitarian law and any agreements reached, as well as Kiev's disrespect for employees of international organizations.

"We note that Kiev's actions constitute an obvious provocation before the extraordinary session of the IAEA Board of Governors convened on its initiative on December 12," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

On December 10, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Russian military had ensured the safe conduct of the next rotation of IAEA mission observers at the ZNPP.

Later in the day, the agency's director general, Rafael Grossi, said that an IAEA official vehicle was attacked by a drone on the road to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. He condemned what had happened and called for respect. In addition, Grossi recalled the inadmissibility of attacks on nuclear power plants, adding that it is unacceptable to attack those who ensure nuclear safety and security of such facilities.

Prior to that, on December 5, Grossi said that the situation around the ZNPP, as long as hostilities are taking place near the facility, continues to be tense and unstable. The agency director added that the situation with the power supply to the plant is also of deep concern to him, and he intends to discuss the issue with the Russian and Ukrainian sides in the near future.

Zaporizhzhya region, where the nuclear power plant is located, became part of the Russian Federation following a referendum in September 2022. Since then, Zaporizhzhya NPP has been under constant IAEA control.