IAEA Director General: Strictly Forbidden to Attack a Nuclear Power Plant. Attack on ZNPP Poses a Threat to Nuclear Safety

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stressed the importance of stopping attacks on the territory of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) during a meeting of the Board of Governors.

"Sunday's direct attacks on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant marked a serious escalation of threats to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, significantly increasing the risk of a nuclear accident," the IAEA Director General said.

"We are meeting today, and I will meet with the UN Security Council next week, because it is crucial to ensure that these reckless attacks do not mark the beginning of a new and extremely dangerous front in the war," he added.

"No one can benefit or gain any military or political advantage from attacks on nuclear facilities. It is absolutely forbidden to attack a nuclear power plant. An attack on ZNPP means a threat to nuclear safety. Among those who may suffer the most are the people working at the plant and the IAEA experts," said Rafael Grossi.

In addition, the IAEA Director General urged to adhere to the five specific principles for ensuring the safety of Zaporizhzhya NPP, announced on 30 May 2023:

No attacks must be carried out by or against ZNPP, in particular those aimed at the spent fuel storage facility, other critical infrastructure or personnel.

ZNPP should not be used as a shelter or base for military personnel and storage of heavy weapons, such as multiple launch rocket systems, artillery systems and ammunition, tanks.

The power supply to the ZNPP must not be put at risk. Permanent external power supply to the plant must be guaranteed and secured.

All structures, systems and components necessary for the safe and reliable operation of ZNPPs must be protected from attacks.

No actions should be taken that undermine these principles.

As a reminder, on 7 April, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported on Twitter (X) that a drone had exploded on the territory of ZNPP.

Subsequently, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Andriy Yusov, said that Ukraine was not involved in any armed provocations on the territory of the ZNPP illegally occupied by Russia.

Later, in a statement, Rafael Grossi reported at least three hits on the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which damaged the first and sixth power units and injured one person.

On 9 April, the IAEA was informed that a drone attacked the ZNPP training centre located near the power plant.

As you know, the International Atomic Energy Agency was established in 1957 as a structure that was supposed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology for their manufacture. Another of its functions was to control the peaceful use of nuclear energy in the world, including the creation of nuclear safety standards.