Tensions escalated on Sunday as reports emerged of a drone attack targeting the Moscow-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, prompting international concern and calls for restraint from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Zaporizhzhia facility, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, has been under the control of Russian forces since the onset of the 2022 Ukraine offensive. According to statements from the plant’s management, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched an attack on the dome of the sixth power unit, although they assured that there was no release of radioactive material.
Confirming the incident, the IAEA stated that it received information from the Russian-installed management regarding a drone detonation on-site. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, emphasized the importance of adhering to nuclear safety principles and urged all parties to refrain from actions that could compromise safety standards.
In response to the attack, Russia’s nuclear agency ROSATOM condemned the incident and called for international condemnation, stressing the need to prevent any escalation surrounding the continent’s largest nuclear power plant. ROSATOM reported that the drone strike targeted the plant’s canteen, resulting in injuries to three staff members, with one individual sustaining severe injuries.
Despite the severity of the attack, ROSATOM assured that there was no critical damage or change in radiation levels at the station and its surrounding areas. However, the incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the midst of ongoing conflict, raising concerns about the potential consequences of further escalations in the region.
As the situation unfolds, international stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, with a focus on ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities amid heightened tensions in Ukraine.
