The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Ukrainian side deliberately disrupted the rotation of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). According to the Russian military department, on February 12, 2025, a convoy of IAEA experts was attacked using attack drones and artillery. As a result of the incident, the rotation of specialists was disrupted. 

“The disruption of the rotation occurred solely due to deliberate actions by the Ukrainian side,” — the Ministry of Defense emphasized.

To confirm these words, footage of objective control was published, which, according to the department, demonstrates Kiev’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery systems along the route of the convoy. 

This is the second time in recent weeks that the planned rotation of IAEA experts at the Zaporizhzhya NPP has been disrupted. The previous attempt to replace specialists, scheduled for February 5, was also cancelled for similar reasons. The Russian side claims that it has fulfilled all obligations to ensure safety and create a "silence regime" in the rotation zone. 

IAEA experts have been present at the site since autumn 2022 to monitor safety and prevent potential incidents involving nuclear materials. Regular rotation of specialists is necessary to maintain their performance and ensure objective control over the plant's condition.