IAEA ‘sees no evidence Moscow planning terrorist attack on Zaporizhzhya NPP’

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel have not observed any Russian military deployment inside the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told France 24 from the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on June 30.

His comments to the French broadcaster come amid reports by the Ukrainian authorities claiming that Moscow was preparing to launch a terror attack on the site.

Grossi asserted that he “didn’t see that kind of development” on the ground, but also that “anything can happen – that is what worries me.

”The increase in military activity on the frontline amid the Ukrainian counter-offensive adds “an additional layer of concern over a situation that is extremely volatile, because the plant is sitting on the front line,” Grossi said.

“The plant is incredibly fragile and open to damage if there is an exchange of fire.”

Read also: Russian invaders leaving Zaporizhzhya NPP amid fears of terrorist attack, says military intelligence

Grossi also commented on his visit to the nuclear plant on June 15 that the situation was “serious” but stabilizing at the nuclear power plant after the destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam. Water from the dam’s reservoir was used to cool its six reactors.

“Initials measures were taken by the management of the plant to preserve the needed amount of water, but this will not be enough in the long term,” Grossi said.

During a visit to the plant, the IAEA reported on June 21 that no landmines were observed near the facility’s cooling pond, contradicting previous reports.

Threat to Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant – What is known

The head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said on June 25 that the Russians had completed preparations for a possible terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. Equipment with explosives was deployed near four of the six reactors, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 22 that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the nuclear plant it has seized, and has “prepared everything for this.”

The U.S. authorities “haven’t seen any indication that that threat is imminent, but we’re watching it very, very closely,” White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said on June 27.

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