"I have identified the following concrete principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at ZNPP in order to prevent a nuclear accident and ensure the integrity of the plant," Grossi told a UN Security Council.
"There should be no attack of any kind from or against the plant, in particular targeting the reactors, spent fuel storage, other critical infrastructure, or personnel; ZNPP should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons (i.e. multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks) or military personnel that could be used for an attack from the plant."
Off-site power to the plant should not be put at risk either, and every effort should be made to ensure that off-site power remains available and secure at all times, he added.
"All structures, systems and components essential to the safe and secure operation of ZNPP should be protected from attacks or acts of sabotage," Grossi stated. "No action should be taken that undermines these principles."
Grossi's proposal came as Moscow’s envoy to the UN Vassily Nebenzia told the panel that Russia has never deployed troops, heavy weapons or ammunitions on the territory of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.
"The plant has never seen any heavy weapons or their munitions placed on its territory, nor is there any military personnel present at the power plant that could be used to carry out an attack from the plant’s territory," Nebenzia said during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Russia would take all the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the plant in accordance with its legislation and obligations to international legal instrument to which the country is a party.
The Zaporozhye NPP came under the control of Russian forces in March 2022 but has been the focus of nuclear safety concerns for months as it has been repeatedly shelled amid ongoing hostilities.