IAEA Rejects Claims of Russian Preparations to Restart Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has dismissed recent allegations that Russia is actively preparing to restart the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), currently the largest nuclear facility in Europe.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated during a press briefing in Kyiv that satellite imagery and on-the-ground assessments do not confirm the large-scale preparations claimed in a recent Greenpeace report.

“We are monitoring satellite images of the region and disagree with the conclusions of the Greenpeace report, particularly the claims about significant construction or preparatory work,” Grossi told reporters at Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy. “While some activity is observable, we have not seen evidence of massive preparations or serious construction efforts aimed at reactivating the plant.”

The clarification comes in response to a New York Times report citing Greenpeace satellite analysis, which claimed Russia had begun constructing over 50 miles (approximately 80 km) of new power lines near Mariupol and Berdyansk in southern Ukraine. 

According to Greenpeace, the direction and location of the work suggest Russia may be attempting to connect ZNPP to its domestic grid through the Rostov region.

Sean Burnie, Greenpeace’s senior nuclear specialist, described the developments as the “first physical evidence” of Russian plans to operationalize the ZNPP under occupation.

Despite this, Grossi urged caution, noting that even partial reactivation of one or two reactors would require extensive technical discussions and compliance with stringent international safety protocols. “There are significant technical conditions that must be met before any conversation about restarting begins. We are far from that point,” he said.

Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also commented on the issue following a meeting with Grossi, reiterating that the Zaporizhzhia plant remains Ukrainian property and must be returned to Ukrainian control. “Together with the IAEA, we confirmed that any Russian attempts to restart the plant while under occupation are both technically unfeasible and extremely dangerous,” Sybiha said on X.

As The Gaze previously reported, Russia continues to pose serious risks to nuclear safety in Ukraine. On the night of April 9, eight drones were detected flying within a 4-kilometer radius of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).