International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi is working to agree an agency-led international mission to Ukraine’s six-unit Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, the biggest in Europe, where Russian occupation presents “a clear and present risk” to safety, security and safeguards

Mr Grossi said the mission is needed to carry out essential nuclear safety, security and safeguards work at the site. He said one of the most critical issues the world faces today is the safety, security and safeguarding of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities.

He told the IAEA’s board of governors that he has taken note of an appeal by the Ukrainian government calling on the IAEA and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres to “redouble their efforts to find ways of liberating the Zaporizhzhia facility from Russian invaders as soon as possible”, return it to the full control of Ukraine and restore the station’s security.