The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been informed both by the Russian Federation and Ukraine about the assassination last week of an individual in the city where most staff of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) live, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.
The person, identified as Mr Korotkyi, reportedly died in a car bomb explosion on Friday morning in Enerhodar, which is located a few kilometres from the ZNPP. In a letter to the IAEA, Russia affirmed he was "one of the key staff members responsible for ensuring nuclear security" at the plant. Ukraine told the IAEA he was not a ZNPP staff member anymore.
The IAEA is also aware of a public statement issued the same day by Ukraine's military intelligence indicating that this person's alleged actions after Russia took control of the ZNPP in March 2022 were the reason he was targeted. In addition, the country's military intelligence posted an image of a destroyed car, and suggested others may also face "retribution".
In follow-up communication with the IAEA, Ukraine said it "does not attack civilians". Ukraine did not confirm or deny any responsibility for the attack.
In a letter to the IAEA, the Russian Federation said Mr Korotkyi was "head of the permits bureau" at the ZNPP and called the attack a "horrific crime" committed by Ukraine.
Director General Grossi reiterated that while the IAEA does not have forensic capabilities or authorities to investigate the incident, maintaining nuclear safety and security remains of paramount importance to prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict. With this vital objective, the IAEA in March 2022 established seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security that have been supported by all IAEA Member States.
Pillar 3 states that "the operating staff must be able to fulfil their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure".
"Any targeting of employees of nuclear power plants would constitute a blatant violation of this pillar fundamental for overall nuclear safety and security," Director General Grossi said.
"In addition, any statements indicating further retaliatory measures - potentially affecting staff of the Zaporizhzhya NPP - would be unacceptable and contrary to the safety pillars established by the IAEA," he said. "Any such threats deny staff who are not responsible for the overarching political and military situation the minimum standards of working conditions to do their jobs properly."
Director General Grossi once again called for maximum restraint during the conflict and said any action targeting staff at the ZNPP - in order to address issues related to its status - has a direct impact on nuclear safety and security and must cease.
"The only way to avert the threat of a nuclear accident with transboundary radiological consequences during this war is to fully respect and adhere to the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security as well as the five concrete principles for the protection of the Zaporizhzhya NPP," he said.
