IAEA mission to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power: Russian forces make delegation wait at border of Russia-occupied territories

Yevhen Balytskyi, the head of the occupation administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, said this, Interfax informs.

"Our balance today is about as follows: 200-250 cars are leaving the territory of the Zaporizhzhia region under our control, and about 1,000-1,500 are coming to us, returning to the 'peaceful' territory. This column is in this queue from the Zaporizhzhia side", he said on the air of the Russia-24 TV channel. 

Balytskyi noted that the IAEA mission appealed to the authorities of the Zaporizhzhia region regarding the possibility of speeding up the passage of the delegation through the checkpoint in the territory controlled by the Russian Federation.

"On the offer to speed up the process, I said that I am not going to speed up this process, let them stand in line. (...) Let them stand in line and talk to people, people will tell them everything, tell them the truth, as we have nothing to hide", Balytskyi emphasized. 

He added that "for the time being, the Ukrainian side ensures their passage to us, and when they pass through the checkpoint as required, then we will be responsible for their safety and take them to the facility".

Vladimir Rogov, who holds the position of a member of the main council in the administration appointed by the Kremlin, was more unambiguous. On Telegram, he noted:

"The IAEA mission will stand in line to get to the 'liberated' part of the Zaporizhzhia region. This is due to the fact that special passes will not be issued to them. But they could get there safely, quickly, and without obstacles from Russia".