Representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced last night that last week's shelling did not disrupt security at the Zaporozhye Ukrainian nuclear power plant, managed by Russia.

Four IAEA experts, stationed at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, claim that late last week, the heaviest shelling in the past few months took place, but that key safety systems were not affected.

The condition of the six reactors is stable, and the integrity of the spent fuel, new fuel and low-, medium- and high-level radioactive waste in their storage facilities has been confirmed, according to the IAEA statement.

However, according to the IAEA, the shelling caused "major damage to the entire site", i.e. several shells fell on the main road to the reactors, shrapnel hit the compressed air pipes, and minor damage to the fire sprinkler pipeline and damage to the roof of the special utility building were recorded.