Zelensky stated that Russia has taken two Ukrainian employees of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant hostage.

This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting with the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi.

According to the president, Ukrainians were captured while working at the station.

“They have been thrown behind bars because they allegedly had Ukrainian content and their phones. It is very important for us to bring them back from captivity,” Zelensky stated. He added that he expects the IAEA to take action in the efforts to free the hostages.

The president also mentioned that a rotation of IAEA representatives is anticipated at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. He noted that issues regarding the operation of the NPP will be raised in the very first diplomatic talks with Russia, as currently, due to the lack of Ukrainian oversight, the plant is “not operational and is degrading.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi announced plans to visit the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant again. This will be his sixth visit to the NPP. However, the exact date of his visit is still unknown.