VIENNA, April 13. /TASS/. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has welcomed the move to switch all the units of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) from hot to cold shutdown, the IAEA said in a press release on its website.

"The decision to have all six units in cold shutdown is positive in itself, as the cooling down of the reactor provides an additional buffer in case of an accident. But it doesn’t address the fundamental issue of a recent sharp deterioration of the situation at the plant. Without a doubt, nuclear safety and security at this major nuclear facility remains very precarious," Grossi said.

The IAEA pointed out that its experts stationed at the ZNPP reported hearing the sounds of artillery fire on Saturday morning at near distance or further away.