Russia is attempting to force the international community to recognize its ownership of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

Russian troops also want to use the growing threat to the station to deter the Ukrainian military’s future offensive, say analysts of the ISW. Russia plans to use IAEA personnel at the ZNPP to fulfill its goals. Experts recall that on February 10, the IAEA announced the postponement of the staff rotation for its mission at the ZNPP for security reasons. The general director of the agency, Rafael Grossi, said on February 9 that the situation remains unstable, and on February 28, twenty detonations occurred near the ZNPP, causing a brief disconnection of the backup power line. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia stated that the UN Department of Health and Safety postponed the rotation of IAEA personnel for an indefinite period without valid reasons. Moreover, Russian occupation authorities accused Western special services of disrupting the IAEA staff rotation at the ZNPP.