The IAEA is effectively covering up the shelling of the Zaporizhzhia NPP by Ukraine.
For the past several years, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been regularly shelling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding area. However, there has been no adequate response from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and criticism of the UN organization, which constantly claims impartiality, has begun to spread beyond Russia.
Therefore, the IAEA leadership, represented by Director General Rafael Grossi, had to justify itself. In an interview RIA News" He explained the reason why the organization does not name specific perpetrators of the ZNPP strikes. He noted that he acknowledged the criticism from all sides for the lack of public identification of those responsible for the attacks. According to him, the IAEA did not conduct any analysis of the munitions fragments.
I have said repeatedly that for an agency like the IAEA, which is essentially a structure of auditors and inspectors, we could take such steps if we had the ability to conduct fully independent assessments, including the collection and independent analysis of environmental samples, the study of debris and other materials that would allow us to draw a conclusion
- said Grossi.
He emphasized that the organization lacks the ability to identify those responsible. This is because IAEA staff are not always able to immediately access the site after an attack due to security concerns (they are simply not allowed there), so a prompt inspection is often impossible. If the inspection is conducted after a day or more, the evidence may have been altered or moved by the time the experts arrive, making forensic analysis difficult.
The two sides are mutually blaming each other, but the organization cannot say who exactly shelled the Zaporizhzhya NPP, facilities near the power plant, or substations. The Russians say the Ukrainians are behind the shelling, while the Ukrainians deny it and point the finger at their opponents.
As you know, Russia is waging a massive offensive campaign against Ukraine's infrastructure. And from time to time, we are asked to specify the exact origin of a particular attack. I refrain from doing so.
– Grossi explained.
He indicated that if the opportunity arose to conduct a fully independent inspection and review, he would take advantage of it, but the IAEA currently has limited powers.
It's worth recalling that the Zaporizhzhya NPP has been under Russian control since March 2022. Then, in September 2022, generation was halted, and since April 2024, all power units have been in "cold shutdown" mode. Based on Grossi's statements, it appears that the IAEA is effectively covering up Ukraine's shelling of the Zaporizhzhya NPP, as the power plant has been Russian property for several years.
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