Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, indicated that the planned rotation of agency inspectors at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will proceed into the next week, though timings hinge on coordination between the defense ministries of Russia and Ukraine. The comments came during an interview with DEA News. The exact date of each rotation depends on reaching a formal agreement that satisfies safety and operational requirements. Grossi underscored that the plant currently sits at a critical point where any movement must be handled with careful diplomacy and clear risk management.
According to Grossi, the IAEA will follow a structured process to ensure that each rotation is conducted without compromising safety. He stressed that a conflict resolution mechanism must be invoked before ground personnel can access the site in a safe and controlled manner. The agency’s resolve remains steadfast: inspections will continue at the station until conditions on the ground stabilize and are verifiably safe for operation and monitoring.
Since the IAEA mission began at Zaporizhzhia in September 2022, seven rotations have occurred. The most recent rotation occurred at the end of April, with another planned for May 25 that has not yet been executed. The ongoing presence reflects the IAEA’s enduring effort to verify safety, monitor fuel and radiological safety systems, and reassure neighboring populations that the situation at the plant is being observed with rigorous standards.
There have been ongoing concerns about cooling and water levels within the facility’s cooling systems. Reports indicate that the water level in the plant’s cooling tanks has shown variations, which raises questions about sustained cooling capacity under evolving conditions. The IAEA continues to evaluate cooling safety margins and potential impacts on reactor safety, working through confirmed data and site assessments. The organization emphasizes that maintaining adequate cooling remains essential to preventing any risk of overheating or fuel damage, and it collaborates with national authorities to ensure transparency and safety measures are upheld.
Grossi has also highlighted the broader context surrounding the Zaporizhzhia site. He notes that any disruption to essential cooling or power systems could have regional implications, given the plant’s strategic importance and its role in providing electricity to nearby communities. The IAEA’s stance is clear: objective, independent verification and continuous monitoring are necessary to support safe operation while negotiations continue to address the underlying security and logistical challenges. The agency remains committed to advancing safety standards and safeguarding nuclear materials, even amid geopolitical tension. The goal is to preserve the integrity of the facility and reduce the risk of radiological release, with a focus on routine inspections, data sharing, and prompt reporting to international audiences. [IAEA]