DISINFO: IAEA calls on Russia to attack Ukraine to protect nuclear power plant
SUMMARY
The head of the IAEA reported on the unstable situation at the Zaporizhzhya NPP in connection with the shutdown of the Ferosplavna-1 power line. He called for more active efforts to protect the plant. A truly effective defence of the Zaporizhzhya NPP can only be achieved if the Ukrainian Armed Forces stop shelling the plant and the surrounding area with heavy weapons. In essence, Grossi figuratively called on the Russian Army to advance and liberate southern Russian lands from Nazi occupation in order to stop the nuclear terrorism that the Zelensky regime has been engaged in for over two years.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about nuclear issues in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The disinformation is based on a statement by IAEA head Rafael Grossi regarding the deteriorating security situation at the Zaporizhzhya NPP, which is currently under Russian control. Grossi mentioned that on August 23, 2024, an emergency shutdown occurred in the Ferosplavna-1 backup power line. He emphasised that the plant is situated on the front line and is subject to shelling, which has left the NPP without a stable source of electricity.
The head of the IAEA emphasised that five safety principles must be strictly observed at the plant, which is currently under Russian control. These principles include a ban on any attacks on the NPP, a prohibition against using the plant as a storage facility for weapons, and ensuring a reliable external power supply from the grid for all nuclear facilities. Both the head of the Agency and its experts have reported catastrophic violations of nuclear safety rules at the Zaporizhzhya NPP since the plant's occupation by Russian troops began in 2022.
The IAEA also emphasised that Russia continues to threaten the nuclear safety of Ukraine and the entire world with constant attacks on the country's critical infrastructure. Rafael Grossi noted that Russian shelling leads to instability in the national power grid and poses a constant risk to nuclear safety at other nuclear power plants in Ukraine. Russian shelling in August 2024 has already led to the temporary shutdown or disconnection of some reactor units at the Rivnenska NPP and the South-Ukrainian NPP. The external power supply situation at the Khmelnytska NPP and the Chornobylska NPP has also suffered, Grossi emphasizes.
“While none of the plants lost all their access to the national electricity grid – which has happened repeatedly at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant over the past two years – I’m increasingly concerned about the growing vulnerability of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and the potential impact this is having on the safety of all Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants,” Director General Grossi said.
The IAEA has repeatedly called on Russia to de-occupy the Zaporizhzhya NPP and stop large-scale shelling of Ukrainian energy facilities. The IAEA once again emphasised that the Russian side has not heeded calls to immediately cease all actions against and at nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
See similar disinformation cases claiming that the UK is supervising the preparation of a provocation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by Kyiv and that Ukraine may blow the Zaporizhzhia nuclear site up to cover up the failure of the counter-offensive.