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2mo ago

Ukraine Condemns IAEA Staff Rotation Through Russian-Held Territory at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry criticizes the UN nuclear watchdog for violating its sovereignty by conducting staff rotations via Russian-occupied areas, citing safety and legal concerns.

A view shows Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from the bank of Kakhovka Reservoir near the town of Nikopol after the Nova Kakhovka dam breached, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Alina Smutko/File Photo
A firefighter works at a site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine March 1, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Firefighters work at a site of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine March 1, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
A view shows an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine March 1, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Overview

  • The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) rotated staff at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) through territory controlled by Russia, drawing sharp criticism from Ukraine.
  • Ukraine's Foreign Ministry labeled the move a breach of sovereignty and accused Russia of blackmailing international organizations into accepting illegal operational mechanisms.
  • The IAEA mission had been delayed for weeks due to military activity near the plant, with both Ukraine and Russia blaming each other for the delays.
  • Ukraine claims it repeatedly offered safe and legal routes for the rotation through government-controlled areas, which Russia allegedly refused to guarantee.
  • The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest nuclear facility, has been under Russian control since 2022, and Ukraine has called for its return to Ukrainian authority to ensure nuclear safety.