The 26th team of IAEA staff sent to the ZNPP since the mission was established more than two years ago began their work to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security at the plant immediately after arriving, replacing colleagues who had been there for the past several weeks.
The drone strike took place later the same day, targeting an official vehicle – with the IAEA logo clearly visible – that formed part of a convoy preparing to pick up the departing IAEA team at a handover point on the frontline, IAEA said. No one was harmed in the attack.
“This week’s attack was a stark reminder of the potential dangers our staff are facing as they carry out their important nuclear safety and security work in an active war zone. They deserve all our sincere gratitude for helping to keep the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant safe,” Grossi said.
The drone used was of a model designed to explode on impact, leaving no discernible debris to be recovered for an investigation into the incident, he added. “Whoever did this knew exactly what was being done. It was our vehicle that was hit. There was a clear intention to intimidate us. But we will not be intimidated by this brazen and deplorable attack. We will stay as long as it is needed and continue our indispensable work,” he added.
Following the incident, Russian officials have once again criticised the IAEA for failing to identify Ukraine as being responsible for the attack. Grossi told the IAEA Board of Governors: “It was a direct attack. I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, because this is the corps of international auditors. And before doing this, it is necessary to have irrefutable and definite elements to say so.”
The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the international organisations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov said Russia did not and could not have had any military or political motives for attacking the car of the IAEA mission. “I want to emphasise that Russia did not and could not have had any military or political motives for attacking the IAEA armoured vehicle. It is appropriate to ask the question – who would benefit from trying to create an even more unhealthy atmosphere in the run-up to the extraordinary session of the [UN Security] Council? Russia or Ukraine? The answer, I think, is obvious to everyone.” The text of his statement was published by the official Telegram channel of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to international organisations in Vienna.
Ulyanov also said that the actions of the Ukrainian authorities call into question the possibility of ensuring the safety of experts of the IAEA secretariat during rotations at ZNPP, and that it is necessary to think about a safer route. Ulyanov said that the incident occurred on the territory controlled by Ukraine – “the drone arrived from the northern side, where the Ukrainian formations are located,” he noted. He called the incident a provocation by Kiev, “which shows blatant disrespect for the immunity of employees of international organisations.
Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Russian Public Chamber’s Commission on Sovereignty and co-chairman of the Coordination Council for the integration of New Regions, said in an interview with RIA Novosti that the arrival of IAEA missions to the ZNPP through Ukrainian territory is dangerous.
Because the IAEA still technically recognises ZNPP as Ukrainian rather than Russian, the inspectors are obliged to approach the plant from Ukrainian territory, which involves them crossing the frontline of hostilities. Rogov told RIA Novosti: “IAEA missions should come to Zaporizhia NPP exclusively through the territory of the Russian Federation, excluding contacts and visits to the territory controlled by the Zelensky regime from their route.” He said the attack by a Ukrainian drone during the rotation had proved the danger of the current arrangement.
Rogov also said that IAEA statements that refer to ZNPP as Ukrainian is unacceptable. “This is an unacceptable mistake and political stupidity on the part of the IAEA, as the Zaporizhia NPP is the property of the Russian Federation and is located on its territory. The nuclear power plant has nothing to do with Ukraine, especially if we are completely honest, it is a Soviet legacy, but not a Ukrainian one.” He added that it is time for the IAEA “to stop playing political games”.
Russia took control of ZNPP in March 2022, since when the Russian national guard has been protecting the station. On 5 October 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree formally transferring ZNPP to Russian jurisdiction under nuclear utility Rosenergoatom (part of Rosatom). A Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise, JSC Zaporizhia NPP, was established by Rosenergoatom to operate the plant. However, Ukraine’s Energoatom continues to claim ownership of the plant and the IAEA recognises this claim.
