By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors Rafael Mariano Grossi on Monday warned of the escalating nuclear safety risks in Ukraine as the conflict grinds on.
He reaffirmed the IAEA’s commitment to monitoring facilities such as the Khmelnitsky, Rivne and South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plants, he described how facilities were performing under extreme conditions.
“The electrical grid’s ability to provide a reliable off-site power supply to Ukrainian NPPs was reduced by damage sustained following military attacks in November and December 2024,” Mr. Grossi stated.
He underscored the ongoing strain on national energy infrastructure, in the face of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Grossi described a drone strike that severely damaged an IAEA vehicle during a routine rotation and the drect attacks have complicated the agency’s work.
“Staff survived this unacceptable attack unharmed, but the rear of the vehicle was destroyed,” he said.
IAEA head noted the continuous risks faced by staff working in these volatile conditions.
He is concerned on the situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant where six reactor units remain in cold shutdown. The facility’s off-site power supply continues to be vulnerable.
Mr. Grossi highlighted a recent incident in which ZNPP relied on a single off-site power line after losing its remaining backup, further underscoring the fragility of the plant.
The attack on the Chernobyl site three weeks ago, which caused significant damage to the protective structure of the 1986 reactor, was also addressed.
Mr. Grossi stressed that the attack “underlines the persistent risk to nuclear safety during this military conflict, no radioactive release occurred.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Grossi reaffirmed the IAEA’s ongoing support for Ukraine.
The agency has delivered 31 shipments of nuclear safety, security and medical equipment, totaling over €15.6 million in value.
“We are grateful to all 30 donor states and the European Union for their extra budgetary contributions,” Mr. Grossi added.
He urged continued support for the comprehensive assistance programme.
Mr. Grossi reported fresh concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, especially its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 per cent.
Iran remains the only non-nuclear weapon State enriching uranium to this level, raising significant concerns over potential weapons development, IAEA said.
“Iran says it has declared all nuclear material, activities and locations required under its NPT Safeguards Agreement. However, this statement is inconsistent with the Agency’s findings of uranium particles of anthropogenic origin at undeclared locations in Iran,” Mr. Grossi explained.
He emphasized the need for greater transparency, stressing that unresolved safeguards issues must be addressed for Iran’s nuclear activities to be deemed peaceful.
He called on Iran to implement the Joint Statement of March 2023 and engage in serious dialogue aimed at resolving outstanding issues.
Mr. Grossi outlined the IAEA’s broader initiatives, including his recent visit to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, where he oversaw the collection of water samples related to the ongoing release of ALPS-treated contaminated water in the wake of the major 2011 meltdown.
“The IAEA has maintained its independent monitoring and analysis efforts, confirming that tritium concentrations in the discharged batches remain far below operational limits,” he noted.
He highlighted key upcoming initiatives, such as the launch of the Atomic Technology Licensed for Applications at Sea and the IAEA’s first International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear Energy, which will take place in December 2025.
The global demand for energy rising, Mr. Grossi pointed to the growing role of nuclear power in addressing energy needs.
“In the IAEA’s high case scenario, global nuclear electricity generating capacity is seen increasing two and a half times by 2050,” he said.
He stressed that such growth must be accompanied by public support and a continued commitment to safety.
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