Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008. He was also the Prime Minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000 and again from 2008 to 2012.
Your Monday Briefing
Attacks near Ukraine nuclear plant intensify Russian artillery strikes continued near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine yesterday as negotiations continued over allowing international inspectors to visit the complex.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, has assembled a team of experts with the hope that they will visit the plant in southern Ukraine “in the next few days,” officials said.
They would assess physical damage, determine whether safety and security systems are functional and evaluate working conditions, the agency said.
But as talks continue, a possible crisis looms. Increased barrages near the plant struck towns, ammunition dumps and a Russian military base in intensive fighting yesterday, raising questions about whether the area would ever be secure enough to allow inspectors anywhere near the plant.
