KYIV: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday injected a ray of hope into the standoff over the embattled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by announcing that its mission of top experts 'is now on its way' to the facility, which has seen relentless shelling as a focal point in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Rafael Grossi, director-general of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, has for months sought access to the nuclear plant, which has been occupied by Russian forces and run by Ukrainian workers since the early days of the six-month-old war.