The U.N.’s nuclear safety watchdog confirmed Monday that the head of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant has been released following his detention by Russian forces.
“I welcome the release of Ihor Murashov,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) boss Rafael Grossi said in a tweet. “I have received confirmation that Mr. Murashov has returned to his family safely.”
Murashov was arrested by Russian patrols on his way from the nuclear facility to a nearby town on Friday afternoon, according to Ukraine’s state-owned energy company Energoatom.
The IAEA said in a statement Saturday that Murashov’s detainment risked jeopardizing the safe operation of the plant.
The Zaporizhzhya plant is the largest nuclear facility in Europe and has been under Russian control since March but remains staffed by its Ukrainian employees.
Last month, the IAEA called for the establishment of a nuclear safety and security zone around the facility.
