Developments at Zaporizhzhia NPP and Claims of Attacks on Security Personnel
Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the head of the Rosenergoatom concern, stated on Russia 24 that Ukrainian units opened fire on employees of the Zaporizhzhya NPP Security Service. The incident allegedly occurred while investigators from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were present, and the advisers described the scene as a confrontation that escalated after a Ukrainian machine gun fired in the vicinity. The report indicated that two Russian security guards survived the encounter.
Karchaa noted that the Russian side would issue a formal note to Ukraine in response to what was described as armed provocations. He emphasized that a response would be considered unavoidable given the severity of the alleged attack and the presence of IAEA investigators on site, which underscores the international attention surrounding the facility. This account was broadcast in the Russian media and echoed by Russian officials who have been detailing security incidents at the plant.
On the day prior, reports indicated that three IAEA inspectors and four staff members of the United Nations Security Ministry arrived at the site, signaling intensified international involvement in monitoring the situation at Zaporizhzhya. The plant is currently under the control of Russian armed forces, according to local authorities in Energodar, the city where the facility is located. Energodar officials have repeatedly claimed that the nuclear facility’s territory has been subjected to shelling by Ukrainian formations, adding to the complexity of the security dynamics around the site.
In early February, Karchaa referenced a statement about the near completion of key Zaporizhzhya NPP facilities designed to bolster protection against shelling by Ukrainian forces. The assertion suggested that additional protective measures were being put in place to safeguard critical infrastructure amid ongoing hostilities. These developments come as international observers seek to verify the plant’s status and the safety conditions for personnel and nearby communities, with the IAEA maintaining its interest in on-site access and independent assessments. [Citation: IAEA reports and official briefings adjust to events as they unfold, 2025]
Observers note that the Zaporizhzhya NPP, a facility of strategic importance, remains a focal point in the broader conflict narrative. The situation involves contested control of the site, ongoing security concerns for employees and inspectors, and the broader implications for regional stability and nuclear safety. Analysts highlight the need for verifiable, independent verification of events on the ground, along with sustained international engagement to prevent escalation and ensure continuous monitoring of nuclear safety protocols. [Citation: International energy and security analyses, 2025]