2024-08-18 14:30:33
According to the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, the safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating after the access road to the perimeter was hit by a drone attack earlier today, Reuters reported.
The Russian management of a nuclear power plant said that a Ukrainian drone dropped an explosive charge on a road used by personnel, BTA reported.
“At 07:00 (Moscow time) an unmanned aircraft of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) dropped an explosive on the road that runs past the energy blocks on the outside of the perimeter. This road is constantly used by personnel. No one was injured, but once again a direct threat to the safety of personnel and the plant has been created,” said a statement published on the official Telegram channel of the nuclear power plant.
Russia established control over Zaporozhye NPP, which is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, at the very beginning of its invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow and Kiev have repeatedly accused each other of trying to sabotage the work of the plant. All six of its reactors are currently shut down, but the plant needs external power to maintain its cooling system.
“Once again, we see an escalation of the nuclear safety and security hazards facing the … power plant,” Grossi said. “I remain extremely concerned and repeat my call for maximum restraint on all sides and for strict compliance with the five specific principles established for the protection of the plant,” added the head of the IAEA.
An IAEA team visited the area today and found that the damage appears to have been caused by a drone rigged with explosives. There were no casualties and no equipment at the nuclear power plant was affected, but there was damage to the road between the two main gates of the plant, the IAEA added. The site of the impact is located near the main cooling water distribution basins and about 100 meters from the “Dneprovsk” power line – the only remaining 750-kilovolt power line providing the plant’s power supply, the experts also state.