IAEA chief warns of ongoing nuclear safety risks in Ukraine

On June 3, 2025, Raphael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighted the persistent risk of a nuclear accident in Ukraine during his twelfth visit to Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. This visit occurred amid heightened tensions and a significant number of air raid warnings, resulting in IAEA teams at the nuclear facilities in Rivne and Khmelnytskiy, who had to seek shelter multiple times. Grossi emphasized the necessity of IAEA personnel remaining at the nuclear sites to mitigate potential nuclear incidents, claiming the risks are ever-present. The safety concerns stem from ongoing military activities around the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which remains under Russian control since the early days of the invasion. Although the facility has not been operational since September 2022, Grossi remarked that there are intentions from the Russian side to connect the power plant to their electricity grid. He stated that while there are elements of work at the plant, the IAEA does not see detailed evidence indicating a cohesive, deliberate plan to integrate the power grid at this time. The lack of water for cooling and a stable power supply prevents the restart of operations. During his visit, Grossi engaged with Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko among other senior officials, as air alarms rang out in Kyiv. Grossi's feedback was critical of reports claiming a potential swift reactivation of the power plant, stressing that any restart is far from imminent. He noted that the challenges posed by the facility's condition necessitate careful monitoring by IAEA experts, asserting that the ongoing air alerts reflected the intensity of the situation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy articulated similar concerns, describing any Russian plans to revive the Zaporizhzhya plant without Ukraine's involvement as "absurd and dangerous." This statement aligns with the IAEA's message about the essential role of their teams at the nuclear facilities. The experts stationed at the site provide key insights into the actual conditions on the ground, which highlights the importance of their presence in ensuring nuclear safety amidst the ongoing conflict.