Zakharyova Condemns Kyiv's Threat to IAEA Chief and Foiled Visit to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharyova said Kyiv's system reiterated its threat against IAEA Director Rafael Grossi, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled visit to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Incident details
Zakharyova added that Kyiv's warning that Grossi would not be safe if he entered the facility from Russian territory reveals criminal intentions toward an international organization's leadership. The remarks follow Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev's announcement of Grossi's planned visit to Zaporizhzhia and the nearby city of Enerhodar.
Background
Zaporizhzhia plant, situated on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, hosts six reactors each rated at 1,000 MW. It became Russian property in October 2022 by decree of President Vladimir Putin after the annexation of the Zaporizhzhia region.
The episode heightens Moscow‑Kyiv tensions over nuclear safety and underscores Russia's concerns about foreign interference jeopardizing the plant's stability.
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