The United Nations has sent an aid convoy to the vicinity of the eastern Ukrainian city of Soledar, which has been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict and Russian invasion. The convoy, which consisted of food, water, hygiene kits, medicines, and other medical supplies, was able to reach areas under Ukrainian government control and provided support for over 800 civilians in need. According to Jens Laerke, a spokesperson from UN aid coordinating office (OCHA), more convoys are expected in the coming days, and the UN and its partners are working to increase aid operations to areas close to the frontlines in Ukraine where the needs are most acute.

IAEA ‘expanding and intensifying’ nuclear safety efforts

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, briefed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Thursday about the agency's efforts to help Ukraine ensure nuclear safety and security at its nuclear facilities. Grossi announced that several permanent IAEA expert missions had been established across the country this week, and that discussions were ongoing to set up a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe's largest. He emphasized that the zone was essential for preventing a severe nuclear accident and stated that he would continue his efforts to make it happen through intensive consultations with both Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the coming days and weeks.

‘Daily dangers’ at Zaporizhzhya

The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, emphasized the ongoing dangers facing the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the need for a nuclear safety and security protection zone around the plant. He stated that the plant continues to face daily dangers and that the IAEA team there continues to hear explosions close to the site, including two on Thursday. He announced that the IAEA has expanded its on-the-ground support for Ukraine's efforts to prevent a severe nuclear accident during the war, with the IAEA flag now flying at important nuclear facilities across the country. He also announced that for the first time, top IAEA experts will be permanently present at all of Ukraine's nuclear power plants as well as the Chornobyl site, in order to reduce the very real nuclear dangers the country is facing. An IAEA expert team will also be stationed at the Khmelnitsky plant, west of the capital Kyiv, in the next few days.

IAEA, ‘here to stay’

With IAEA teams permanently present at all of Ukraine’s NPPs and the Chornobyl site, the Agency will have at least 11 nuclear safety and security experts simultaneously in the country, an unprecedented undertaking by the organization.

“We are determined to do everything in our power to reduce the risk of a nuclear catastrophe during this tragic war”, said the IAEA chief. “This week was an important step forward in our efforts in this regard. But the work is far from over. The IAEA is here to stay, for as long as we are needed”.