What's happened
The IAEA has called for a nuclear safety and security protection zone to be established around Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Why it matters
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns about the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which could have catastrophic consequences if damaged. The IAEA's call for a nuclear safety and security protection zone highlights the urgent need for measures to prevent a nuclear accident.
What the papers say
The sources agree that the IAEA has called for a nuclear safety and security protection zone to be established around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They also agree that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns about the safety of the plant. The sources differ in their portrayal of who is responsible for the attacks around the plant, with Russia and Ukraine blaming each other. The sources also differ in their reporting of the extent of the damage to the plant and the surrounding area.
How we got here
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been the subject of ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of shelling around the plant and risking a catastrophic release of radiation. The IAEA has warned that the situation is untenable and that something very catastrophic could take place. The ongoing conflict has caused international alarm, with local residents receiving rations of iodine pills to protect them in the event of a radiation leak.
More on these topics
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which it borders to the east and north-east.
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The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
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Rafael Mariano Grossi is an Argentine diplomat. Since 3 December 2019, he serves as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Zaporizhzhia Oblast, also referred to as Zaporizhzhia, is an oblast of southeast Ukraine whose southern most part has been partially occupied by Russia. Its capital is Zaporizhzhia. The oblast covers an area of 27,183 km², and its population is 1,666,515
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Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia. The megacity stands on the Moskva River in the central portion of Western Russia, with a population estimated at 12.6 million residents within the city limits, while over 17 million residents in the urban
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