Published on: 2026-07-31
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 30, 2026 Peace and Security
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on Thursday an increase in military activity near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and the city of Enerhodar, where a significant part of its personnel live. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, this undermines efforts to ensure the safety of the plant.
One of the most alarming incidents in recent times was the internet outage that began on Monday. This is the longest communication loss in nearly four years of IAEA presence at the ZNPP. The causes of the disconnection have not yet been determined. Simultaneously, the plant faced water supply problems.
“Recent internet outages and water supply problems are yet another example of the difficulties faced by the station staff in an extremely difficult and tense environment,” Grossi said.
He once again reminded about the necessity of adhering to the seven principles of nuclear safety during conflict, including ensuring conditions in which personnel can make decisions without external influence.
The IAEA also records an increase in military activity near other Ukrainian nuclear facilities. Today, one of the operating nuclear power plants reported a power line outage that coincided with the detection of a cruise missile and a drone in the monitoring area.
Air raid sirens sound almost daily on the territory of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant; in the past week, two drones have been detected in the monitoring zone. A similar situation is observed at the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
“The constant reports of air raids and drone activity near nuclear facilities underscore the need for maximum restraint and strict adherence to the basic principles of nuclear security,” Grossi said.
Despite the difficult situation, the IAEA continues its technical assistance program for Ukraine. This week, a mobile internal radiation monitoring system was handed over to the operator Energoatom, and emergency lighting equipment was delivered to the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology. The supplies were funded by Norway and the United Kingdom.
Since the start of the conflict, the IAEA has organized over 240 equipment deliveries, and nearly 50 Ukrainian organizations have received assistance. Grossi noted that the agency will continue to support Ukrainian nuclear facilities with the cooperation of member states and the European Union.
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