Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. Photo from the archive Ukraine: the IAEA reports a new drone attack on Zaporizhia NPP Peace and Security
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports a new drone attack on the Ukrainian Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). “Whoever was behind the attack is playing with fire,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi commented on the message.
The IAEA team of experts working at the plant reported that today at 11:05 a.m. local time, shots were heard at the Zaporizhia NPP, followed by a loud explosion. Later, the management of the Zaporozhye NPP informed experts that a drone exploded on the roof of the station’s training center.
The incident heightened concerns about the already dire nuclear safety situation at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which has been shelled several times and cut off its external power supply eight times since the conflict began in February 2022.
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The training center is located outside the site perimeter, approximately half a kilometer from power unit number one, and The incident did not pose any threat to nuclear safety at the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, all six reactors of which have been shut down over the past 20 months. However, ZNPP employees regularly visit this training center.
The IAEA team requested immediate access to the building to assess possible damage, but were informed that the military security situation did not allow this. The team will continue to seek such access.
“Today’s incident, although outside the site perimeter, is an ominous development as it indicates a clear willingness to continue these attacks despite the serious danger they pose to nuclear and security security, and our repeated calls for military restraint. Whoever is behind them is playing with fire. Attacks on a nuclear power plant are extremely irresponsible and dangerous and must stop,” said Director General Grossi.