IAEA Zaporizhzhia visit — A senior Russian official has accused Ukrainian authorities of preventing a planned visit by Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as blocking the scheduled rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. The statement was made by Alexey Likhachev, who claimed that Kyiv’s actions have disrupted both the high-level visit and the regular changeover of international nuclear safety monitors.

The Zaporizhzhia plant, which is the largest nuclear facility in Europe, has been under Russian control since early in the conflict between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The IAEA has maintained a presence at the site to monitor safety conditions amid ongoing military activity in the region. According to Likhachev, Ukrainian authorities did not provide the necessary security guarantees or logistical support for Grossi’s visit or for the safe passage of IAEA personnel.

Likhachev’s remarks highlight the persistent difficulties faced by international organizations attempting to operate in contested areas of Ukraine. The IAEA has repeatedly called for unrestricted access to the Zaporizhzhia facility, citing the risks of a nuclear incident due to military operations nearby. The latest disruption, as described by the Russian side, raises further concerns about the ability of international monitors to carry out their mandate and ensure the safety of the plant.

There has been no immediate response from Ukrainian officials to Likhachev’s allegations. The situation at Zaporizhzhia remains a focal point of international attention, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of endangering the facility’s security. The continued presence of IAEA experts is seen as a critical factor in reducing the risk of a nuclear accident in the conflict zone.