The recent attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant have sparked grave concerns and marked the onset of a new, highly perilous phase of the conflict, stated Rafael Grossi, director general of the UN atomic agency, on Thursday. Speaking in Vienna, Grossi, representing the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), described the attacks as a significant escalation of nuclear safety and security risks in Ukraine. The emergency meeting of the 35 members of the Board of Governors, convened at the request of both Russia and Ukraine, aimed to address the escalating situation.
The Zaporizhzhia plant (ZNPP), under Russian occupation since March 2022, has come under a series of drone attacks since Sunday, with both Moscow and Kyiv trading accusations. These recent attacks mark the first incidents targeting the plant since November 2022. Once Europe’s largest nuclear power station, the ZNPP is currently non-operational.
During the meeting, Grossi emphasized the imperative of preventing any attacks on or from the plant, particularly targeting reactors, spent fuel storage, critical infrastructure, or personnel. Following the conclusion of the three-and-a-half-hour meeting, Russian ambassador to the IAEA, Mikhail Ulyanov, termed it as “useful,” expressing hope that discussions would dissuade Ukraine from further provocative actions.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has decried Moscow’s “disinformation campaign,” alleging that Russia was fabricating attacks to discredit Ukraine. In a statement from its permanent mission in Vienna, Ukraine condemned the misleading tactics employed by Russia. The European Union also weighed in on the matter, stressing that Russia’s illegal seizure of the plant significantly heightens nuclear safety risks. The EU called for an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces and military equipment from the ZNPP and Ukrainian territory as a whole.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IAEA’s board of governors has adopted four resolutions condemning Russian actions at the plant. The latest developments underscore the urgency of addressing the escalating tensions and ensuring the safety of nuclear facilities in the region.
