Russia, IAEA hold fresh talks on safety of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant amid renewed attacks
By Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor
Russia and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have held another round of high-level consultations on the safety and security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), with Moscow alleging an escalation of attacks around the facility and urging the UN nuclear watchdog to publicly condemn the incidents.
The 13th round of interagency consultations took place in Kaliningrad on July 10, 2026, and was led by ROSATOM Director General Alexey Likhachev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
The Russian delegation included representatives from the country’s nuclear regulator, Rostechnadzor, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops, the National Guard (Rosgvardia), and Russia’s permanent mission to international organisations in Vienna.
According to ROSATOM, discussions centred on nuclear safety and security at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which has remained at the centre of the Russia-Ukraine conflict since Russian forces took control of the site in 2022.
Likhachev claimed that attacks around the plant, the nearby city of Energodar and surrounding areas had intensified since the end of April, alleging that Ukrainian forces were increasingly targeting the area and intimidating plant workers.
He said the reported attacks had resulted in seven deaths, including one employee of the nuclear plant, while 40 others had been injured.
The ROSATOM chief called on the IAEA to publicly assess what he described as repeated attacks on the facility, arguing that the absence of international condemnation could encourage further actions that threaten nuclear safety.
The consultations also reviewed the status of electricity supply to the plant following repairs to the high-voltage Dneprovskaya transmission line.
According to the Russian side, significant repair work was carried out by the Ministry of Defence, Rosgvardia, Rosseti specialists and plant personnel to restore the line, although Moscow said it had yet to be re-energised from the Ukrainian-controlled side.
Another key issue discussed was the continued deployment of IAEA experts at the facility and arrangements for their regular rotation, as well as measures to improve reporting on conditions at the plant and in Energodar.
Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining regular dialogue on issues relating to the safety and security of the nuclear power station.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has remained one of the most sensitive facilities in the conflict, with both Russia and Ukraine repeatedly accusing each other of attacks that could endanger nuclear safety.
The IAEA has consistently called for restraint by all parties and has maintained a permanent monitoring mission at the site.
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