By KYIV. March 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Russian occupation administration is likely trying to further restrict the presence of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at Zaporizhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in occupied Energodar (Zaporizhia region) in order to force the recognition of de facto Russian ownership of the plant, according to a March 1 report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
“The IAEA announced on February 10 that it delayed a planned rotation of personnel to the IAEA mission at the ZNPP due to security concerns. IAEA General Director Rafael Grossi stated on February 20 that the situation remains unstable and on February 28 that 20 detonations occurred near the ZNPP, briefly disconnecting a backup power line to the ZNPP and underscoring the ZNPP’s “fragile external power situation.” Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on February 22 that the UN Department for Safety and Security indefinitely postponed the IAEA personnel rotation without proper cause, claiming that Russia is committed to ensuring the safe passage of IAEA personnel to the ZNPP,” the report says.
“Zaporizhia region occupation official Vladimir Rogov claimed on March 1 that Western intelligence agencies disrupted the routine rotation of the IAEA mission in order to accuse Russia of creating obstacles for the IAEA,” according to the document.
“Russian and occupation officials have previously criticized the IAEA’s presence at the ZNPP, such as Rogov accusing the IAEA in January of playing a political role at the ZNPP to support Ukraine. Russian and occupation authorities likely intend to use either the possibly trapped IAEA personnel or a reduced IAEA presence at the plant to coerce international recognition of Russian ownership over the plant. Russian and occupation authorities may also be attempting to deter a possible future Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine by escalating threats to the ZNPP,” the report states.
