Wars in Europe and in the Middle East are undermining the safety of nuclear facilities, increasing the risk of accidents.

I reiterate my calls for all parties involved in conflicts to respect the seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict. Regardless of where they are located around the world, nuclear facilities, and in particular nuclear power plants, should never be attacked.

The Agency continues to respond both to the conflict in Ukraine and in the Middle East through its unique mandate and adaptable, forward-leaning approach.

The situation at Ukraine's nuclear power plants remains extremely challenging.

At the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), off-site power has been the most serious concern. Following damage to the 750 kV Dniprovska line in March, the plant has had to rely on a single 330 kV backup line for several months.

On Friday, we were able to agree the sixth local cease fire between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, brokered by the IAEA, to allow experts and technicians from both sides to repair that crucial Dniprovska line.

That same day, the IAEA was informed of a serious incident in which some Russian military personnel were injured during the demining phase that has to take place before repairs can begin.

To strengthen and help maintain the latest IAEA-brokered ceasefire an Agency team has now started also to monitor the mine-clearing work.

Adherence to the ceasefire is crucial so that repairs can begin in the coming days.

Without the Dniprovska line, ZNPP's off-site power situation is very fragile. Over the past days, the plant suffered its 18th offsite power outage since the war began. With a duration of 15-hours, it was also one of its longest, necessitating the use of emergency diesel generators to cool the six shut down reactors until offsite power was restored on Saturday morning.