Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine. Explosions near Zaporizhzhya NPP: IAEA warns of increased military activity Peace and Security
Employees of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recorded explosions near the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) the day before, which occurred in parallel with reports of a drone attack on the ZNPP training center. This is another threat to the nuclear safety of the largest NPP in Europe, said IAEA Director Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The IAEA mission team at the Zaporizhzhya NPP reported two powerful explosions outside the perimeter of the plant. Data on the consequences of the incidents have not yet been confirmed. In addition, the agency’s specialists repeatedly heard the sounds of machine gun fire.
The IAEA is also aware of a suspected drone attack on the Zaporizhzhya NPP training center located outside the plant. According to available information, there are no casualties, and the NPP equipment is also not damaged.
According to the IAEA team, the intensity of military activity in the area of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant has increased over the past 24 hours: numerous explosions were recorded at various distances from the facility.
“Any attack on a nuclear power plant is absolutely unacceptable,” Grossi emphasized. “In the context of increasing military activity in the Zaporizhzhya NPP area, I once again call for maximum restraint in order to avoid a clear threat to the safety of the plant. It is also extremely important to strictly adhere to the five specific principles of facility protection established by the IAEA at a meeting of the UN Security Council, as well as the seven necessary conditions for nuclear safety defined by the agency.”