MOSCOW, December 28. /TASS/. Cooperation between Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant (ZNPP) is ongoing, with the two parties "speaking the same language," Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the director general of Russia’s Rosenergoatom nuclear power engineering company, told Channel One television.

"Despite all difficulties and disputes, cooperation with the IAEA is ongoing. We can state with confidence that we speak the same language," he said.

Commenting on bogus reports in Ukrainian media alleging that Russia uses the power plant as a firing position, the official said there has never been nor will ever be heavy artillery or offensive arms on the premises. "The only thing deployed out there at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is armored labs of the [Russian] Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense," he said. This is the most sophisticated and unique equipment for the monitoring and control of radioactive, biological and chemical security, Karchaa explained.

IAEA experts have been present at the power plant since September 2022, when the first permanent observer mission was established there following IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s first visit.

The Zaporozhye NPP located in Energodar has six power units with a total capacity of 6 GW. It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. At the end of February 2022, the facility was taken under control by Russian forces.