Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and reporters from RIA Novosti reported that a delegation reached the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant area. The visitors entered the Zaporozhye region, a zone controlled by Russian authorities, to assess the situation at the plant. [attribution: IAEA, RIA Novosti]
Earlier, the convoy was briefly detained at a checkpoint in the Zaporozhye region under Ukrainian control. Yevgeny Balitsky, the head of the regional military‑civil administration, described the incident on Rossiya-1, noting the delay and the suspension of movement for several hours. [attribution: Balitsky, Rossiya-1]
Several hours later, Balitsky and Rafael Grossi, the IAEA director general, announced that the convoy had cleared the checkpoints and was progressing toward the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Balitsky reported that the first vehicles had passed a checkpoint more than an hour earlier, and the remaining convoy was moving toward the plant after the Ukrainian side released most of the detained vehicles. He added that the first vehicles had already entered the plant’s vicinity within minutes. [attribution: Balitsky, Grossi]
Within an hour, officials confirmed that the leading stretch of the convoy had reached the Zaporizhzhia NPP. Grossi stated on September 1 that the minimum conditions for the mission’s arrival were satisfied, though he warned of risks along the route. He noted the existence of a dangerous gray zone between the Ukrainian front line and Russian positions. The Russian Ministry of Defense characterized the situation in the plant area as difficult but fully controlled. [attribution: Grossi, Russian MoD]
The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Moscow is taking all steps to ensure the station operates safely and according to the mission’s plans. Sergei Lavrov stressed that the Ukrainian bombardment would be investigated and that, at Russia’s insistence, the mission should include ballistics experts to uncover what happened. He expressed hope that the world would obtain a clear opportunity to review these details. [attribution: Lavrov]
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, echoed concerns about potential provocations from Kyiv and underscored Russia’s willingness to cooperate. He said Moscow is attentive to ensuring the mission reaches the facility and remains ready to work with the observers. [attribution: Peskov]
A few hours before the mission arrives
On the morning of September 1, Russia’s Ministry of Defense described a major provocation attempt by Ukrainian forces to block the IAEA team’s arrival. The ministry also said Ukrainian artillery targeted the plant’s vicinity. It claimed two sabotage groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a Ukrainian landing tried to breach defenses. [attribution: Russian MoD]
The ministry alleged that Ukrainian units faced resistance from Russian Guards guarding the Zaporizhzhya nuclear facility and Russian troops reinforcing the area. It claimed that around 7:00 am Moscow time, the Russian side blocked a tactical landing by Ukrainian forces on barges near the plant, resulting in the sinking of two self‑propelled landing craft as a result of fire from Russian forces. [attribution: Russian MoD]
The IAEA mission
Compared with the previous day, fourteen delegates arrived in Zaporozhye to participate in the mission. On September 1, the mission moved toward the plant in a convoy of multiple vehicles. Rafael Grossi said that the IAEA team would begin work immediately to evaluate the security situation at the plant and consider establishing a permanent presence there. The delegates are expected to consult with plant personnel to understand the current conditions and risks. Reports from agencies noted that the mission aims to prevent a nuclear incident and preserve Europe’s largest nuclear facility. [attribution: IAEA, AFP]