IAEA mission sets off from Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia for nuclear plant

A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 30, 2022. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission set off from the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia towards the nuclear power plant in the Russian-controlled town of Enerhodar on Thursday, despite reports of intense shelling there.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said the mission was aware of "increased military activity in the area" but was pressing ahead with its plan to visit the facility and meet its staff.

"There has been an increased military activity in the area. Having come so far, we are not stopping," Grossi said.

FILE PHOTO: IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi gets into a UN car before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission departs for visit to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in central Kyiv, Ukraine August 31, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov and Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)