Rosatom Boss Warns of ‘Increased Military Risks’ Around Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant

MOSCOW, March 13 (Reuters) – ⁠The ⁠head of Russia’s ⁠state nuclear corporation Rosatom ​warned on Friday of “increased military risks” ‌around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear ‌power plant due ⁠to ⁠intensifying combat in the area.

“The number of artillery ​strikes, drone attacks and mortar fire has been increasing in ​recent months,” Alexei Likhachev said following ⁠a meeting ⁠with International Atomic ⁠Energy ​Agency Director General Rafael Grossi in Moscow.

“The ​industrial ⁠zone is under constant attack from both artillery and drones, which is causing power ⁠cuts from time to time,” he added.

Likhachev said ⁠Russia welcomed an initiative by Grossi to establish a ceasefire around the nuclear plant, which has seen heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces, in order to restore the ⁠power supply.

Such a ceasefire was declared for the fifth time earlier this month.

(Reporting by Anastasia ​Lyrchikova; Editing by Gleb Bryanski ​and Joe Bavier)

Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

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