The International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations’s nuclear watchdog, said it found anti-personnel mines on the outskirts of the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine have accused one another of shelling around the power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, over the course of the war, while the IAEA has desperately sought to keep the war away from it.

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The IAEA said on Monday that its inspectors found some anti-personnel mines located between the site’s internal and external perimeter barriers, an area that plant personnel are restricted from. They did not observe any within the inner site perimeter during the walkdown.

“As I have reported earlier, the IAEA has been aware of the previous placement of mines outside the site perimeter and also at particular places inside. Our team has raised this specific finding with the plant and they have been told that it is a military decision, and in an area controlled by military,” Director General Rafael Grossi said.

Grossi noted that should any of these mines explode, it shouldn't affect the plant's nuclear safety.

“But having such explosives on the site is inconsistent with the IAEA safety standards and nuclear security guidance and creates additional psychological pressure on plant staff — even if the IAEA’s initial assessment based on its own observations and the plant’s clarifications is that any detonation of these mines should not affect the site’s nuclear safety and security systems. The team will continue its interactions with the plant,” he added.

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Grossi has visited the plant three times since it was taken over by Russian forces in the early days of the war.

Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly warned about the possible dangers of Russia mining at the plant, saying that last month's destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam demonstrates Moscow's willingness to risk civilian lives to further its military ambitions in Ukraine.