Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, met with senior Russian officials in Istanbul to discuss the possibility of an IAEA mission to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The plant, located in southeastern Ukraine, has been under Russian control since last March and has endured shelling that raises the risk of a nuclear incident. The IAEA has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a careful, independent assessment of the facility to ensure safety and security for nearby populations and the environment.
Technical discussions in Istanbul centered on agreeing a near term mission by IAEA experts to Zaporizhzhia. The aim is to verify plant safety, assess damage, and monitor the operational status of the six reactors amid ongoing tensions surrounding the site. The IAEA head shared the update via social media, highlighting the critical nature of the talks and the need for a credible on-site presence to prevent accidents and manage radiological risks.
The post from Grossi described the discussions as significant and noted that the mission would involve close cooperation with Ukrainian authorities, Russian representatives, and other stakeholders in the region. A photo accompanying the message showed the IAEA delegation in dialogue with the Russian leadership linked to Rosatom, the state-owned nuclear corporation involved in the exposure of the plant to the conflict.
Across multiple months, the IAEA has warned about elevated nuclear safety and security risks arising from the plant’s occupation, which makes Zaporizhzhia Europe’s largest nuclear power facility. The complex situation has been exacerbated by recent shelling near the facility, with both sides assigning blame for the damage and escalation in risk.
In a statement issued last night, Ukraine informed the IAEA of new incidents, and reports of explosions around the site were described as causing additional damage to surrounding areas. Grossi reiterated the urgent need for immediate access by an IAEA team to the plant to assess safety conditions, verify operational status, and provide independent assurances about radiological safety.
Grossi stressed that the IAEA should be able to dispatch a mission to Zaporizhzhia without delay, underscoring ongoing consultations with all involved parties to secure the mission. He noted that resolution of the military situation on the ground would enable such a visit and cautioned that delays could heighten nuclear safety risks for the facility and the wider region.
Russia confirmed the IAEA’s intention to conduct an on-site assessment soon, conditioned on the evolving military context allowing safe access. Rosatom has consistently framed the plant’s security as a core priority, while Ukraine has faced accusations from various actors regarding attacks on the facility. Allegations of sabotage at other Russian nuclear sites, such as Kursk, were also mentioned in related discussions, underscoring the paramount importance of robust safeguards for nuclear installations regardless of their location.
Observers note that safety for nuclear facilities remains a top priority for all parties involved, with continued calls for transparent, technical oversight and a clear framework for neutral, on-site verification. The IAEA’s standby objective is to provide independent confirmation of nuclear safety conditions at Zaporizhzhia, a goal that would contribute to regional stability and reduce the risk of radiological harm to nearby communities.