The United Nations nuclear watchdog warned on Friday that Russian troops were exerting “incredible pressure” on workers at Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant. Russian forces seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on March 4 and have since allowed Ukrainian plant operators to manage the site, but under extreme conditions. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team members unload suitcases with equipment as they arrive at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (AP Photo / Francisco Seco) NATO PREPARES FOR MASS MILITARY EXERCISES AS RUSSIA CONTINUES INVASION IN UKRAINE The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did not provide details on how Ukrainian plant officials were treated, but said working conditions were “extremely stressful and challenging.” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Ukrainian nuclear experts “continue to carry out their duties and maintain, as much as possible during the war, the safety of nuclear facilities.” However, the agency noted that the “morale and emotional state” of the staff at the Zaporizhzhia power plant is “very low”. Zaporizhzhia, located in southeastern Ukraine, is increasingly being targeted by Russian forces as they try to gain “full control” of the neighboring Donbas region. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi speaks to reporters as he arrives with an IAEA team at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Chernobyl, Ukraine, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. (AP Photo / Francisco Seco) Ukrainian officials warned last week that Russia was seeking a referendum on annexing occupied territories in Zaporizhia and the Kherson, just south of the Dnipro nuclear power plant. RUSSIAN ARMIES DRIVE TARGETS IN THE EXACT RADIATION “RED FOREST” OF Chernobyl Russian forces have reportedly attracted personnel from Russia’s state-owned nuclear company Rosatom, which demands daily reports from Ukrainian station operators on “confidential issues” regarding the operation of the nuclear power plant. Grossi, who traveled to Ukraine in March amid growing security threats, said the situation in Zaporizhia “continues to be provocative and requires constant attention”. The IAEA chief warned that “the situation will become unsustainable” and on Friday suggested that a team be led to the nuclear power plant “as soon as possible”. Grossi visited the Chernobyl nuclear power plant earlier this week after being occupied by Russian forces for 35 days. Decorated Ukrainian National Guard soldiers and members of the State Emergency Service observe a minute of silence during a ceremony to commemorate the Chernobyl disaster at the Monument to the Savior at Chernobyl, Ukraine. AP Photo / Francisco Seco) CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION Following the withdrawal of Russian troops from the infamous site of the largest nuclear disaster in the world, alarming reports have emerged that reflect the contempt of nuclear safety by Russian soldiers. The IAEA said on Friday that remote data transfer from the Chernobyl plant to its Vienna headquarters was slowly being restored.
