MOSCOW: On Thursday, the UN nuclear watchdog reported large explosions near the Russia-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine and reaffirmed calls for a security perimeter around the facility.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, was criticized for his remarks by a Russian official who claimed Moscow was incapable of maintaining nuclear security.

In early March, shortly after invading neighboring Ukraine, Russian forces took control of the plant. The IAEA deployed experts to each of Ukraine's five nuclear stations after Russia and Ukraine accused each other of firing close to the front lines.

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Last week, Grossi traveled to Ukraine and reported that IAEA observers frequently reported explosions close to the plant.

"Eight loud bangs were heard yesterday at around 10 a.m. local time, and more explosions were heard today, shaking the plant's office windows," he said in a statement.

Grossi's comments were baseless, according to Renat Carcha, a consultant to the CEO of RosengAtom, the company in charge of running Russia's nuclear plants.

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I can only call it a provocative act. Tass quoted him as saying, "Before you give this kind of information, you need to check it and make sure it is not based on hearsay."

They want to demonstrate that they are doing something profitable on the one hand. On the other hand, they are once again raising concerns in Western public opinion that Russia may not manage to maintain nuclear security.

Karacha's tone was unusually sarcastic. Russian government representatives have attempted to reassure Western countries that they are following safety standards and continue to cooperate with the IAEA.

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In his statement, Grossi claimed he would open fresh talks with Moscow after discussing the proposed zone with the EU this week in Brussels.