Likhachev discussed with Grossi the shelling of the nuclear power plant and the situation at the Bushehr NPP. The main thing

Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi held a series of meetings in Moscow on March 12-13, 2026. The culmination was the interdepartmental consultations with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, Rosgvardiya and Rostechnadzor. The main topic was the safety of the Zaporizhia NPP against the background of the ongoing shelling, as well as the situation at the Iranian Bushehr NPP. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Circumstances of the negotiations

On the evening of March 12, Likhachev and Grossi held a preliminary meeting, during which they discussed strategic issues of ensuring the nuclear nonproliferation regime and the development of nuclear energy in the world. On Friday, March 13, interdepartmental consultations between the delegations of Russia and the IAEA took place at the ATOM Museum at VDNH.

The Russian side included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, Rosgvardiya and Rostechnadzor, all departments responsible for the Zaporizhia NPP. The meeting was the 12th interagency consultation between the Russian delegation and the IAEA leadership.

The situation at the Zaporizhia NPP

The key topic of the talks was the safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in the light of the ongoing shelling. Likhachev informed the head of the IAEA about the current state of affairs, stressing that the Russian side exercises absolute control over the physical condition of the plant. Currently, the nuclear power plant is in a "cold shutdown" mode: no generation is underway, but fuel remains in the reactors, which requires additional electricity costs to maintain a safe condition. The 33rd mission of the IAEA staff is already working at the station, who have the opportunity to personally verify the safety measures being taken.

Likhachev paid special attention to the growing military risks in the area of the Zaporizhia NPP and Energodar. According to him, the number of artillery strikes and drone attacks has been increasing in recent months. The head of Rosatom cited specific facts: on February 20, a heavy drone hit the school building in Energodar, where up to 600 students were at that time. Shelling of residential areas in early March was also recorded, resulting in casualties.

"It is in terms of all these above-mentioned components that the number of artillery strikes, unmanned aerial vehicles, and mortar attacks has been increasing in recent months. There are simply egregious facts," Likhachev said.

According to him, the Kiev regime is escalating the situation, trying to create an atmosphere of fear in Energodar, which directly affects the safety of the plant. Constant strikes are inflicted on the industrial area and the power distribution system, which creates risks of loss of energy supply. In early March, a silence regime was announced for the fifth time to restore power supply, but the risks remain.

Likhachev recalled that last year the Zaporizhia NPP operated for more than a month in a complete isolation of power supply due to the operation of backup diesel generators. At the same time, he stressed that it would be desirable to avoid a repeat of such a situation.

Preparation for the resumption of the station

An important part of the negotiations was the topic of the future launch of the Zaporizhia NPP. Likhachev said that it would be possible to raise the station only after the threats of military influence on the operating power units are completely removed, but it is necessary to prepare for this work now.

"We have absolutely no doubt that we are ready for this big job. We are ready from the point of view of both the competence of the staff and from the point of view of compliance with all safety principles. The necessary equipment has already been manufactured," stressed the head of Rosatom.

He said that Rostechnadzor has already issued licenses for the operation of the first, second and sixth blocks, and work is also underway on the remaining three blocks. The IAEA has expressed a desire to review the documentation, and the Russian side is ready to provide all necessary information.

As soon as the opportunity presents itself, Rosatom, in contact with the IAEA, will begin work on lifting and operating the plant. At the same time, Russia is ready to consider an international format regarding the sale of electricity, but Rosatom will be the one to operate and guarantee the safe operation of the plant.

The situation at the Bushehr NPP

Special attention was paid at the talks to the situation around the Iranian Bushehr nuclear power plant against the background of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The Russian side informed the IAEA about the current state of affairs and future plans.

As Likhachev previously reported, the situation in the Bushehr NPP area remains difficult, but, fortunately, no strikes were carried out on the plant itself, on the construction site of new power units, or on staff settlements. The head of Rosatom stressed that a strike on the Bushehr NPP would be a disaster on a regional scale.

Earlier, the families of Russian employees employed at the Bushehr NPP construction site and some of the staff were evacuated to Russia. About 450 people remained at the Bushehr site, and Rosatom opened a hotline for their relatives. Part of the Russian staff is currently involved in the maintenance of equipment at the construction site of new power units, but the main work there has been temporarily suspended. At the same time, Likhachev stressed that the construction of the second and third units of the Bushehr NPP remains a priority for Rosatom.

The reaction of the parties

Grossi, speaking after the meeting, noted that he was glad to be back in Moscow. He recalled that a few weeks ago he and Likhachev met in Hungary at the ceremony of pouring the first concrete at the Paks-2 NPP.

"Today, of course, the main focus of our attention turned out to be on international cooperation, as well as bilateral cooperation on our efforts to ensure safety and physical nuclear safety at the Zaporizhia nuclear Power plant," said Grossi.

The IAEA Director General stressed that the parties are entering the fifth year of a special military operation, and from the very beginning it was possible to establish joint work between the agency and the Russian side in a complex conflict. The IAEA missions continue to work at the Zaporizhia NPP in full cooperation with the leadership of Rosatom.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.