UN chief calls for immediate cessation of all hostilities near Zaporizhzhya NPP

UNITED NATIONS, New York. Aug 11 (Interfax) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for ceasing all combat actions near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, adding that any damage to this facility will have disastrous repercussions.

"I am calling for all military activities in the immediate vicinity of the plant to cease immediately and not to target its facilities or surroundings," Guterres said in a statement published on the UN News website.

"I urge the withdrawal of any military personnel and equipment from the plant and the avoidance of any further deployment of forces or equipment to the site," he said.

"We must be clear that any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia or any other nuclear facilities in Ukraine, or anywhere else, could lead to catastrophic consequences not only for the immediate vicinity, but for the region and beyond," he said.

Guterres went on to recall his appeal to all the parties involved in the Ukrainian events "to exercise common sense and reason" and refrain from any action that would endanger the physical integrity, safety and security of the largest nuclear power station in Europe.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said on Wednesday preparations were being made for an expert mission to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plan. Earlier he said he was willing to head a mission of IAEA safety, security, and safeguards experts to the NPP site.

The Zaporizhzhya NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. It operates six VVER-1000 reactor units, the first of which was put into operation in December 1984 and the sixth in October 1995.