IAEA closely watching situation around Kakhovka HPP

BRUSSELS. June 6 (Interfax) - The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely monitoring the situation at the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant (HPP).

"The IAEA is aware of reports of damage at [the] Kakhovka dam; IAEA experts at Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant are closely monitoring the situation; no immediate nuclear safety risk at plant," the organization said in a statement circulated on social media on Tuesday.

Novaya Kakhovka head Vladimir Leontyev told reporters earlier that the Kakhovka HPP's gate valves were destroyed in strikes delivered by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the early hours of Tuesday, causing water at the Kakhovka reservoir to be released uncontrollably downstream. Water levels are now rising.