The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned Russia against reopening the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine, the organization’s chief, Rafael Grossi, said on Wednesday.
The plant was captured by Russian forces in the first days of its offensive and has been shut down since 2022, with frequent shelling attacks.
Grossi responded to a suggestion from Russia’s nuclear operator that the plant be put back in operation.
“That is not imminent. I have been drawing the attention of my Russian counterparts to the fact that any such action would require a number of considerations,” Grossi told AFP.
“First of all, this is an active combat zone, and this cannot be forgotten. Secondly, this plant has been in shutdown for a prolonged period of time,” he said.
Grossi did not rule out any future operation of the plant but said it would “require a number of safety assessments to be performed” in order for it to start running again.
The power station has been hit by numerous shelling and drone attacks since it was captured by Russia in March 2022, and frequent maintenance is necessary to keep it from overheating.
Grossi stated his primary concerns were the physical integrity of the plant and the interruption of its external power supply, which could prevent it from cooling.
The plant has lost external power eight times since the war began in Ukraine, including in December, when Ukraine said it was necessary to rely on backup diesel generators.
