During the 70th session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna, Rosatom director Alexey Likhachev met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Alexander Trembitsky, head of Rostekhnadzor, and Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna, also took part in this meeting.
Discussion on Nuclear and Physical Security
The central topic of the negotiations was the nuclear and physical security of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the situation in the city of Enerhodar, which is the plant's satellite city. Likhachev reported that the situation at the facility sharply deteriorated after the end of April. Over the past four and a half months, more than 750 attacks by drones and artillery have been carried out against ZNPP and Enerhodar.
According to Likhachev, 20 people have died as a result of these events, including nine plant employees, and more than 100 people have been injured. Furthermore, the head of Rosatom specifically drew attention to attacks on fuel tankers that deliver diesel fuel necessary for ensuring the plant's nuclear safety.
Calls to Action and Readiness to Assist
Rafael Grossi, for his part, stated his readiness to consider options for assisting the IAEA in conducting such operations. Likhachev also called on the Agency's Secretariat not only to document the attacks but also to establish those responsible for them. Grossi confirmed his commitment to dialogue with Russia on issues concerning the safety of ZNPP.
The parties also discussed the prolonged presence of the IAEA monitoring group at the plant, which exceeds four years, and agreed to maintain close contact.