IAEA Chief Warns of Fragile Nuclear Safety at Zaporizhzhya NPP
During a briefing at the United Nations Security Council, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), expressed grave concern about the nuclear safety situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). He described the current conditions as highly fragile and dangerous due to ongoing risks of hostilities and potential disruptions to safety mechanisms. These comments were relayed by the IAEA and cited by news agencies following the event.
Grossi outlined that the safety environment around the ZNPP remains precarious. He emphasized that any escalation in fighting near the facility could compromise critical safety systems, damage infrastructure, and create cascading risks for nearby populations. The UN Security Council meeting focused on these concerns and highlighted the IAEA’s ongoing assessment of the plant’s safety status and safeguards, underscoring the imperative of protecting civilian lives and the environment. The council also noted the need for continued monitoring and international cooperation to prevent any escalation that could threaten nuclear security.
The IAEA Director General presented a set of five guiding principles aimed at ensuring the protection of the Zaporizhzhya NPP. He stressed that the plant should not be used for the deployment of heavy weapons or military activities that could threaten its operations. In addition, he called for the safeguarding of external power lines to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply to the station and the surrounding region. Grossi also stated that all structural elements essential to the plant’s operation must be safeguarded against attacks and sabotage. These principles are intended to create a stable security framework around the NPP, reducing the likelihood of accidental or deliberate harm to the facility.
The Zaporizhzhya NPP sits in the steppe zone near the banks of the Kakhovka Reservoir, within the Zaporizhzhia region. As the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and the ninth largest in the world, ZNPP plays a pivotal role in regional energy infrastructure. The site covers a significant industrial footprint, spanning approximately eight square kilometers, and forms a substantial component of a broader industrial complex. The safety and continuity of operations at this facility are critical not only for Ukraine but for regional energy stability and public safety.
In his remarks, Grossi underscored that protecting the NPP requires a multipronged approach: safeguarding personnel and facilities, maintaining reliable power supply, and ensuring transparent, verifiable safety practices that align with international standards. He urged all parties to adhere to these protections and to refrain from actions that could escalate risk or undermine the plant’s safety systems. Experts and observers noted that the IAEA’s framework aligns with established nuclear safety conventions and emphasizes continuous monitoring, verified reporting, and clear lines of communication among international organizations, host nations, and plant operators. Citation: IAEA briefings and United Nations records; attribution to IAEA leadership and UN Security Council discussions.